Transmission method for broadcast service, reception method therefor, and reception apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A method of a broadcast receiving device to receive broadcast service includes: receiving a broadcast table; receiving service signaling data corresponding to a service object; determining a consumption model of the service object on the basis of the service signaling data; receiving a content item configuring the service object on the basis of the service signaling data when the consumption model is a predetermined consumption model; displaying a guide on content on the basis of the broadcast table or the service signaling data; identifying one of the received content item according to an additional information request on the content; and controlling the guide on the basis of the identified content item.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method of transmitting broadcastservice, a method of receiving the broadcast service, and a receivertherefor.

BACKGROUND ART

A digital television (DTV) is now presented to offer various services inaddition to a television (TV)'s original function such as playing videoand audio. For example, broadcasting information such as ElectronicProgram Guide (EPG) may be provided to a user, and also, broadcastingservices from at least two channels may be simultaneously provided to auser. Especially, since a receiving system of the DTV includes a largecapacity of a storage device, and is connected to a data communicationchannel and the internet (through which two-way communication isavailable), more services become accessible through broadcast signals.Additionally, since services offered through broadcast signals becomemore diversified, needs for utilizing the diversified servicesaccurately is increased.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a method of receiving and processing non-real-time(NRT) service and a method of transmitting NRT service.

Embodiments also provide a method of providing a content downloadedthrough NRT service and a receiver thereof.

Embodiments also provide a broadcast service receiving method ofproviding various information on a broadcast service including real-timeservice and NRT service without interfering with an existing receiver.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a method of a broadcast receiving device to receivebroadcast service includes: receiving a broadcast table; receivingservice signaling data corresponding to a service object; determining aconsumption model of the service object on the basis of the servicesignaling data; receiving a content item configuring the service objecton the basis of the service signaling data when the consumption model isa predetermined consumption model; displaying a guide on content on thebasis of the broadcast table or the service signaling data; identifyingone of the received content item according to an additional informationrequest on the content; and controlling the guide on the basis of theidentified content item.

In another embodiment, a broadcast service receiving device includes: areceiver receiving a broadcast table or service signaling data on aservice object; a service manager determining a consumption model of theservice object on the basis of the service signaling data, receiving acontent item in the service object on the basis of the service signalingdata when the consumption model corresponds to a predeterminedconsumption model, and generating a guide on a content on the basis ofthe broadcast table or the service signaling data; and a display unitdisplaying the generated guide, wherein the service manager identifiesone of the received content item according to an additional informationrequest on the content and controls the guide on the identified contentitem.

In further another embodiment, a method of a broadcast transmittingdevice to transmit broadcast service includes: setting a predeterminedconsumption model to an NRT service object including additionalinformation on a content to be displayed, in a guide of a receiver;inserting linkage information of the NRT service object and the contentinto a broadcast table or NRT service signaling data; transmitting thebroadcast table or the NRT service signaling data; and transmitting theservice object.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment of the present invention, broadcastinformation may be received and provided through NRT service.

Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention,broadcast information may be provided through NRT service withoutinterfering with an existing receiver.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention,complex and various broadcast information may be efficiently provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how RT service and NRTservice are provided.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a structure of NRT service according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a protocol stack for NRT service accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is view illustrating one example of the protocol stack for mobileNRT service.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a bit stream section of a TVCT tablesection (VCT) according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating how to define a value of aservice_type field according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is view of data_service_table_section) for identifying anapplication of NRT service and bit stream syntax ofdata_service_table_bytes in a DST section.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a method of receiving and providing NRTservice in a receiving system by using ATSC A/90 standard fortransmitting data broadcasting stream and ATSC A/92 standard fortransmitting IP multicast stream.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views illustrating a method of signaling a DSM-CCaddressable section data by using VCT according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a method of signaling DSM-CC addressablesection data by using VCT according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating a bit stream syntax of NSTaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax ofNRT_component_descriptor (MH_component_descriptor) according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax of NRT componentdescriptor including NRT_component_data according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax of NRT-IT section forsignaling NRT application according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a syntax structure of bit stream for NRTsection (NRT_content_table_section) according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax structure of an SMTsession providing signaling information on NRT service data according toan embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating an FDT schema for mapping a file andcontent_id according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an FDT schema for mapping a file andcontent_id according to another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are views illustrating a receiving system receiving,storing, and playing an NRT content for NRT service according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a receiver to receiveand provide NRT service according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax of a triggeraccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a PES structure according to asynchronized data stream method including a trigger according to anembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a view illustrating a synchronized data packet structure ofPES payload for transmitting trigger as bit stream syntax according toan embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating a content type descriptor structure intap( ) on DST according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a syntax of PMT and service identifierdescriptor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a view illustrating a trigger stream descriptor according toan embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a view of AIT according to an embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a view of STT according to an embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating a transmitter for transmittingTDO and a trigger according to an embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a receiver for receiving TDO anda trigger according to an embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a trigger transmitting methodaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver 300according to an embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating a trigger receiving method by usinga trigger table according to an embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver whentrigger signaling information and trigger are transmitted using DSTaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver when atrigger is transmitted using a trigger stream descriptor according to anembodiment.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver when atrigger is transmitted using a stream type according to an embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver when atrigger is transmitted using AIT according to an embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver when atrigger is transmitted using STT according to an embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a view illustrating a syntax of a linkage descriptor(link_descriptor) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 44 and 45 are views illustrating contents of fields included in alink descriptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a timing diagram according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are views illustrating a linkage between each table whena link descriptor of FIG. 43 is included in a descriptor of an eventinformation table (EIT) in a PSIP table according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 47 is a view illustrating a maintenance trigger receiving methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a view illustrating a syntax of an event descriptor(Event_descriptor) and contents of fields in the event descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a view illustrating a method of identifying a linkage programthrough an event descriptor according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of receiving by thereceiver 300 broadcast program or broadcast channel related contents byusing a link descriptor according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of providing by thereceiver 300 broadcast program related content by using an eventdescriptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52 is a view illustrating a syntax of an NRT service descriptor(NRT_service_descriptor), that is, a service level descriptor accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a view illustrating a meaning according to each value of aconsumption_model field in an NRT service descriptor according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when a TDO is transmitted by a TDO consumption model according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating a method of allocating and managinga TDO storage area according to a TDO consumption model according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a view illustrating a TDO metadata descriptor according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of receiving by thereceiver 300 TDO metadata according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating a method of the receiver 300 tomanage a TDO depending on time information in TDO metadata according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating a method of the receiver 300 tomanage a TDO depending on time information and priority information inTDO metadata according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 60 is a view illustrating a syntax of an internet locationdescriptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when an FDT is transmitted through an internet network according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when the URL of an FDT is transmitted through a link descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when the URL of an FDT is transmitted through an NRT-IT according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 64 is a conceptual view illustrating an NRT service including anentry content item.

FIGS. 65 and 66 are views illustrating an NRT-IT to transmit informationon an entry content item according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 67 is a view illustrating an operation method of a receiver when anentry content item is transmitted according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 68 is a conceptual view of a plurality of NRT service objectstransmitted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 69 is a view illustrating a syntax of an NRT service descriptorincluded in an SMT according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 70 and 71 are views illustrating a syntax of another NRT-ITaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 72 is a view illustrating a syntax of an Other NRT locationdescriptor (Other_NRT_location_descriptor) according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving broadcastservice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 74 is a view illustrating a meaning according to each value of aconsumption_model field in an NRT service descriptor when an EPGconsumption model is allocated according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing EPG on thebasis of an NRT service of an EPG consumption model, as a method ofreceiving broadcast service according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 76 is a view illustrating a linkage between EPG and each tableaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 77 is a view illustrating an EPG provided according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 78 and 79 are views illustrating an EPG screen when a userrequests additional information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 80 is a view illustrating linkage information linked with othertables according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 81 is a view illustrating a syntax of a linkage descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 82 is a view illustrating a target type field of a linkagedescriptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 83 is a view illustrating a linkage descriptor according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 84 is a view illustrating a syntax of an enhanced EPG descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 85 is a view illustrating a syntax of an enhanced EPG descriptoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 86 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing EPG by usingan enhanced EPG descriptor and a linkage descriptor according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 87 is a view illustrating an EPG provided through a method ofreceiving broadcast service according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theconfigurations and operations of the present invention shown in anddescribed with the accompanying drawings are explained as at least oneexample, and the technical idea of the present invention and its coreconfigurations and operations are not limited thereby.

The terms used in the present invention are selected as currently usedgeneral terms if possible in the consideration of functions of thepresent invention but could vary according to intentions or conventionsof those in the art or the advent of new technology. In certain cases,there are terms that are selected by an applicant arbitrarily, and insuch a case, their meanings will be described in more detail in thespecification. Accordingly, the terms used in the present inventionshould be defined on the basis of the meanings of the terms and contentsover the present invention not the simple names of the terms.

Moreover, among the terms in the present invention, a real time (RT)service literally means a service in real time. That is, the service istime-restricted. In contrast, a non-real time (NRT) service is a servicein NRT other than the RT service. That is, the NRT service is notrestricted by time. Furthermore, data for NRT service is called NRTservice data.

A broadcast receiver according to the present invention may receive NRTservice through a medium such as a terrestrial wave, a cable, and theinternet.

The NRT service may be stored in a storage medium of the broadcastreceiver, and then may be displayed on a display device according to apredetermined time or at the user's request. The NRT service is receivedin a file format, and is stored in a storage medium according anembodiment. The storage medium may be an HDD embedded in the broadcastreceiver according to an embodiment. As another example, the storagemedium may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory or an external HDD,which is connected to the broadcast receiving system.

Signaling information is necessary to receive files constituting the NRTservice, store them in a storage medium, and provide a service to auser. The present invention may designate the above signalinginformation as NRT service signaling information or NRT servicesignaling data.

The NRT service includes Fixed NRT service and Mobile NRT serviceaccording to a method of obtaining IP datagram including NRT servicesignaling data. Especially, the Fixed NRT service is provided to a fixedbroadcast receiver, and the Mobile NRT service is provided to a mobilebroadcast receiver.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how RT service and NRTservice are provided.

A broadcasting station transmits the RT service according to atraditional way, that is, like current terrestrial broadcasting (ormobile broadcasting). At this point, the broadcasting station transmitsthe RT service, and then, by using a remaining bandwidth during thetransmission or an exclusive bandwidth, may provide the NRT service.That is, the RT service and NRT service are transmitted through the sameor different channel. Accordingly, in order for a broadcast receiver toseparate the RT service and the NRT service and store the separated NRTservice in order to provide it to a user if necessary, service signalinginformation (or NRT service signaling data) is required. The NRT servicesignaling information (or NRT service signaling data) will be describedin more detail later.

For example, a broadcasting station transmits broadcasting service datain real time and transmits news clip, weather information,advertisements, and Push VOD in non-real time. Additionally, the NRTservice may be specific scenes, detail information of a specificprogram, and preview in real-time broadcasting stream in addition tonews clip, weather information, advertisements, and Push VOD.

A typical broadcast receiver (i.e., a legacy device) may receive andprocess the RT service but may not receive and process the NRT service.That is, the typical broadcast receiver (i.e., a legacy device) is notinfluenced, in principle, by an NRT stream in a channel broadcasting RTservice. That is, even when receiving NRT service, the typical broadcastreceiver cannot process the received NRT service because it does notinclude a unit for processing it properly.

On the contrary, the broadcast receiver (i.e., an NRT device) of thepresent invention receives NRT service combined with RT service andproperly processes the NRT service, so that it provides more variousfunctions to a viewer than a typical broadcast receiver.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a structure of NRT service according to anembodiment.

The NRT service includes at least one content item (or content or NRTcontent) as shown in FIG. 2, and the content item includes at least onefile according to an embodiment. A file and object have the same meaningin the present invention.

The content item is a minimum unit playable independently. For example,news is provided in NRT. If the news includes business news, politicalnews, and lift news, it may be NRT service, and each may be designatedas a content item. Moreover, each of the business news, political news,and life news may include at least one file.

At this point, the NRT service may be transmitted in an MPEG-2 transportstream (TS) packet format through the same broadcasting channel as theRT service or an exclusive broadcasting channel. In this case, in orderto identify the NRT service, a unique PID may be allocated to the TSpacket of the NRT service data and then transmitted. According to anembodiment of the present invention, IP based NRT service data ispacketized into an MPEG-2 TS packet and then transmitted.

At this point, NRT service signaling data necessary for receiving theNRT service data is transmitted through an NRT service signalingchannel. The NRT service signaling channel is transmitted through aspecific IP stream on an IP layer, and at this point, this specific IPstream may be packetized into an MPEG-2 TS packet and then transmitted.The NRT service signaling data transmitted through the NRT servicesignaling channel may include at least one of a Service Map Table (SMT),an NRT Service Table (NST), an NRT Content Table (NCT), an NRTInformation Table (NRT-IT), and a Text Fragment Table (TFT). The NST orSMT provides access information on at least one NRT service operating onan IP layer, or the content items or files constituting the NRT service.The NRT-IT or NCT provides access information on the content items orfiles constituting the NRT service.

Additionally, NRT service signaling data including SMT (or NST) andNRT-IT (or NCT) may be included in a PSIP table on MPEG-2 TS or may betransmitted through an NRT service signaling channel on an IP layer in avirtual channel. Moreover, a plurality of NRT service data may beprovided through one virtual channel.

The NRT-IT includes information describing a content downloadable to bestored in a receiving device. Information provided to the NRT-IT mayinclude a content title (for example, the name of a downloadableprogram), available time for downloading content, contentrecommendation, availability of caption service, content identification,and other metadata.

Additionally, the TFT provides detailed description on a content item orservice. The TFT may include a data structure supporting multi languagesand, as a result, may represent detailed descriptions (e.g., each stringcorresponds to one language) in different languages. The text fragmenttable may be included in private sections having a table_id value (TBD)and may be identified by TFT_id. A TFT section may be included IPpackets in a service signaling channel, and a multicast IP address(224.0.23.60) and a port (4937) may be allocated to the servicesignaling channel by IANA.

First, a receiver may identify whether a corresponding service is theNRT service with reference to a service_category field in the SMT, forexample. Additionally, the receiver may uniquely identify the NRTservice from the SMT through an NRT_service_id field.

Additionally, the NRT service may include a plurality of content items.The receiver may identify an NRT content item through a content_id fieldin the NCT or NRT-IT. In addition, the NRT content item and NRT servicemay be connected to each other by matching the NRT_channel_id field ofthe NCT to the NRT_service_id field.

Moreover, the NRT service may be transmitted through a FLUTE session andthe receiver may extract FDT information from the FLUTE session. Then,content_id in the extracted FDT information is mapped into content_id ofNCT or OMA-BCAST SG in order to confirm and receive the NRT servicecontent that a user selects. If the mapping method is described briefly,for example, the receiver identifies each file constituting the NRTcontent item through the TOI and Content-Location fields in the FDT inthe FLUTE session. Each TOI or the Content-Location and content itemmaps the content_ID of the FDT into the content_id field of the NCT orthe content_id field of the OMA BCAST SG, so as to confirm and receivethe NRT service content.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a protocol stack for NRT service accordingto an embodiment.

For Fixed NRT service, the NRT service of a file format is IP-packetizedin an IP layer, and then, is transmitted in an MPEG-2 TS format througha specific channel.

Through an MPEG-2 based Program Specific Information (PSI) or Programand System Information Protocol (PSIP) table, for example, a VCT, it isdetermined whether there is NRT service in a virtual channel andidentification information of NRT service is signaled.

According to an embodiment, the NRT service signaling channel, whichtransmits NRT service signaling data signaling the access information ofthe IP based NRT service, is IP packetized into a specific IP stream inthe IP layer, and then, is transmitted in an MPEG-2 TS format.

That is, a broadcasting station packetizes the NRT content item or filesaccording to a file transfer protocol method as shown in FIG. 3, andthen, packetizes the packetized NRT content item or files in anAsynchronous Layered Coding (ALC) or Layered Coding Transport (LCT)method. Then, the packetized ALC or LCT data are packetized according toa UDP method. Then, the packetized UDP data is packetized according tothe IP method again, and then, becomes IP data. Here, the IP data mayinclude a File Description Table (FDT) having information on a FileDelivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) session. The packetizedIP data may be designated as IP datagram for convenience of descriptionin the present invention.

Additionally, the IP datagram of NRT service is encapsulated in anaddressable section structure and is packetized again in an MPET-2 TSformat. That is, one addressable section structure has a section headerand CRC checksum, which are added to one IP datagram. The format of theaddressable section structure is matched to a Digital Storage MediaCommand and Control (DSM-CC) section format for private datatransmission in terms of a structure. Accordingly, the addressablesection may be designated as a DSM-CC addressable section.

Moreover, NRT service signaling data including at least one of SMT (orNST) and NRT-IT (or NCT) necessary for receiving NRT content/files maybe transmitted through an NRT service signaling channel on an IP layer.Accordingly, the NRT service signaling data may be packetized accordingto an IP method in order to transmit it through the NRT servicesignaling channel on an IP layer. The NRT service signaling channel isencapsulated in the IP datagram having a well-known IP address and ismulti-casted according to an embodiment.

Additionally, the NRT service signaling data may be included in ProgramSpecific Information (PSI) or Program and System Information Protocol(PSIP) table section data and then transmitted. Moreover, the PSI tablemay include a Program Map Table (PMT) and a Program Association Table(PAT) The PSIP table may include a Virtual Channel Table (VCT), aTerrestrial Virtual Channel Table (TVCT), a Cable Virtual Channel Table(CVCT), a System Time Table (STT), a Rating Region Table (RRT), anExtended Text Table (ETT), a Direct Channel Change Table (DCCT), aDirect Channel Change Selection Code Table (DCCSCT), an EventInformation Table (EIT), and a Master Guide Table (MGT).

Furthermore, as data for digital rights management and encryption ofbroadcasting service to protect the NRT service from illegaldistribution and reproduction, BroadCast Services Enabler Suite DigitalRights Management (BCAST DRM) suggested by Open Mobile Alliance (OMA)may be used.

Moreover, the above mentioned Program Specific Information (PSI),Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) table section data,DSM-CC addressable section data, and OMA BCAST DRM data are divided by a184 byte unit, and then, a 4 byte MEPG header is added to each 184 bytesin order to obtain a 188 byte MPEG-2 TS packet. At this point, a valueallocated to the PID of the MPEG header is a unique value identifying aTS packet for transmitting the NRT service and NRT service signalingchannel.

MPEG-2 TS packets may be modulated in a predetermined transmissionmethod in a physical layer, for example, an 8-VSB transmission method,and then, may be transmitted to a receiving system.

Moreover, FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a protocol stack for NRT serviceaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is view illustrating one example of the protocol stack for mobileNRT service. As shown in FIG. 4, an adaption layer is included betweenan IP layer and a physical layer. As a result, without using an MPEG-2TS format, the IP datagram of mobile service data and IP datagram ofsignaling information may be transmitted.

That is, a broadcasting station packetizes the NRT content/filesaccording to a file transfer protocol method as shown in FIG. 4, andthen, packetizes them according to an Asynchronous Layered Coding(ALC)/Layered Coding Transport (LCT) method. Then, the packetizedALC/LCT data are packetized according to a UDP method. Then, thepacketized ALC/LCT/UDP data is packetized again according to the IPmethod and becomes ALC/LCT/UDP/IP data. The packetized ALC/LCT/UDP/IPdata may be designated as IP datagram for convenience of description inthe present invention. At this point, OMA BCAST SG information undergoesthe same process as the NRT content/file to constitute IP datagram.

Additionally, when NRT service signaling information (for example, SMT)necessary for receiving the NRT content/files is transmitted through aservice signaling channel, the service signaling channel is packetizedaccording to a User Datagram protocol (UDP) method, and the packetizedUDP data is packetized again according to the IP method to become UDP/IPdata. The UDP/IP data may be designated as IP datagram for convenienceof description in the present invention. At the time, the servicesignaling channel is encapsulated in the IP datagram includingWell-known IP destination address and well-known destination UDP portnumber, and is multi-casted according to an embodiment.

In addition, in relation to OMA BCAST DRM for service protection, a UDPheader and an IP header are sequentially added to constitute one IPdatagram.

The IP datagram of the NRT service, NRT service signaling channel, andmobile service data are collected in an adaption layer to generate a RSframe. The RS frame may include IP datagram of OMA BCAST SG.

The length (i.e., the number of rows) of a column in the RS frame is setby 187 bytes, and the length (i.e., the number of columns) of a row is Nbytes (N may vary according to signaling information such as atransmission parameter (or TPC data).

The RS frame is modulated in a predetermined transmission method in amobile physical layer (for example, VSB transmission method) and then istransmitted to a receiving system.

Moreover, whether the NRT service is transmitted is signaled through aPSI/PSIP table. As one example, whether the NRT service is transmittedis signaled to the VCT or TVCT.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a bit stream section of a TVCT tablesection (VCT) according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the TVCT table section has a table form of anMPEG-2 private section as one example, but is not limited thereto.

When the VCT and PID of the audio/video are parsed and then transmittedthrough the TVCT, the packet identification (PID) information may beobtained.

Accordingly, the TVCT table section includes a header, a body, and atrailer. A header part ranges from a table_id field to aprotocol_version field. A transport_stream_id field is a 16 bit fieldand represents an MPEG-2 TS ID in a program association table (PAT)defined by a PID value of 0 for multiplexing. In a body part, anum_channels_in_section field is an 8 bit field and represents thenumber of virtual channels in a VCT section. Lastly, a trailer partincludes a CRC_32 field.

First, the header part will be described as follows.

A table_id field (8 bits) is set with 0xC8 and identifies that acorresponding table section is a table section constituting TVCT.

A section_syntax_indicator field (1 bit) is set with 1 and representsthat the section follows a general section syntax.

A private_indicator field (1 bit) is set with 1.

A section_length field (12 bits) describes that the number of bitsremaining in the section to the last of the section from immediatelyafter the section_length field. The value of the section_length fieldmay not be greater than 1021.

A table_id_extension field (16 bits) may be set with 0x000.

A version_number field (5 bits) may have 0 and means the version numberof VCT.

A current_next_indicator field (1 bit) represents that a correspondingtable section is applicable currently if set with 1.

A section_number field (8 bits) indicates the number of correspondingtable section among TVCT sections. In a first section of TVCT,section_number should be set with 0x00.

A last_section_number field (8 bits) means the table section of the lastand highest number among TVCT sections.

A protocol_version field (8 bits) is a function that allows a table typedelivering parameters having a different structure than one defined in acurrent protocol. Today, only one valid value of protocol_version is 0.The protocol_version having other than 0 may be used for the futureversion of the standard in order to recognize another table having adifferent structure.

Next, the body part will be described.

A num_channels_in_section field (8 bits) designates the numbers ofvirtual channels in the VCT section. The numbers are restricted by atable section length.

A short_name field (16 bits) represents the name of the virtual channelusing 16 bit code value from 1 to 7 sequentially.

A major_channel_number field (10 bits) represents a major channel numberrelated to a virtual channel defined by repetition in a “for” loop. Eachvirtual channel should relate to a major channel number and a minorchannel number. The major channel number together with the minor channelnumber serve as a reference number of a virtual channel of a user.

A minor_channel_number field (10 bits) represent minor or sub channelnumbers ranging from ‘0’ to ‘999’. This field together withmajor_channel_number serves as the second of the number or a channelnumber of second part representing the right portion. Theminor_channel_number is set with 0 if service_type is an analogtelevision. When the service_type is an ATSC_digital_television or anATSC_audio_only, it uses a minor number ranging from 1 to 99. A value ofthe minor_channel_number does not overlap that of themajor_channel_number in a TVCT.

A modulation_mode field (8 bits) represents a modulation mode forcarrier related to a virtual channel.

A carrier_frequency field (32 bits) has a recommendation value of 0.Although the field is used to identify a carrier frequency, it is notrecommended.

A channel_TSID field (16 bits) is an unsigned integer field representingan MPEG-2 TS ID related to a TS containing an MPEG-2 program, which isreference by a virtual channel in a range from ‘0x0000’ to ‘0xFFFF’.

A program_number field (16 bits) identifies an unsigned integer numberrelated to a virtual channel defined in an MPEG-2 program associationtable (PAT) and a TS program map table (PMT). A virtual channelcorresponding to analog service includes program_number of ‘0xFFFF’.

An ETM_location field (2 bits) describes the existence and location ofan extended text message (ETM).

An access_controlled field (1 bit) indicates an access to events relatedto a virtual channel is controlled once it is set. If the flag is setwith 0, an event access is not restricted.

A hidden field (1 bit) indicates that a user by a direct entry of avirtual channel number cannot access a virtual channel once it is set. Ahidden virtual channel is omitted when a user surfs a channel, and isshown when the user accesses undefined or direct channel entry. Atypical application of a hidden channel is a test signal and NVODservice. The hidden channel and its events may be shown on an EPGdisplay according to a state of a hide_guide bit.

A hidden_guide field allows a virtual channel and its events to bedisplayed on an EPG display once it is set with 0 for a hidden channel.The bit is not related to a channel having no hidden bit set and thusnon-hidden channels and their events are always displayed on an EPGdisplay regardless of a state of a hide_guide bit. A typical applicationof a hidden channel, in which a hidden_guide bit set is set with 1, is atest signal and service easily obtainable through an application levelpointer.

A service_type field (6 bits) represents a type of service transmittedfrom a virtual channel. FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating how todefine a value of a service_type field according to an embodiment.According to an embodiment, a service_type value (i.e., ‘0x04’) shown inFIG. 6 means that service_type is ATSC_data_only_service and NRT serviceis transmitted through a virtual channel. According to anotherembodiment, a service_type value (i.e., ‘0x08’) shown in FIG. 7 meansthat service_type is ATSC_nrt_service and a virtual channel provides NRTservice satisfying the ATSC standard.

A source_id field (16 bits) represents the source of a program relatedto a virtual channel.

A descriptors_length field represents the total length (byte unit) of adescriptor for the following virtual channel.

A descriptor( ) field includes at least zero descriptor.

An additional_descriptors_length field represents a total length (byteunit) of the following VCT descriptor.

Lastly, in relation to the trailer part, a CRC_32 field is a 32 bitfield and includes a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value, which ensureszero output from registers of a decoder defined in an MPEG-2 systemafter processing an entire STT section.

FIG. 8 is view of data_service_table_section) for identifying anapplication of NRT service and bit stream syntax ofdata_service_table_bytes in a DST section. A broadcasting station NRTservice data or NRT service signaling data, satisfying ASTC standard,may be transmitted through the DST table section of FIG. 8.

Hereinafter, semantic of fields including a data_service_table_sectionstructure is as follows.

A table_id field (8 bits) as a field for type identification of acorresponding table section is a table section in which a correspondingtable section constitutes DST through this field. For example, areceiver identifies that a corresponding table section is a tablesection constituting DST if a value of the field is 0XCF.

A section_syntax_indicator field (1 bit) is an indicator defining asection format of DST, and the section format may be short-form syntax(0) of MPEG, for example.

A private_indicator field (1 bit) represents whether the format of acorresponding section follows a private section format and may be setwith 1.

A private_section_length field (12 bits) represents a remaining tablesection length after a corresponding field. Additionally, a value ofthis field does not exceed ‘0xFFD’.

A table_id_extension field (16 bits) is dependent on a table, and may bea logical part of a table_id field providing a range of the remainingfields.

A version_number field (5 bits) represents the version number of DST.

A current_next_indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether a transmittedDST table section is applicable currently. If the field value is 0, itmeans that there is no table yet and the next table is valid.

A section_number field (8 bits) represents a section number in sectionsin which a corresponding table section constitutes a DST table.section_number of the first section in DST is set with ‘0x00’. Thesection_number is increased by one as the section of DST is increased.

A last_section_number field (8 bits) represents the last section numberconstituting a DST table, i.e., the highest section_number.

data_service_table_bytes represents a data block constituting DST, andits detailed structure will be described below.

A CRC_32 field is a 32 bit field and includes a cyclic redundancy check(CRC) value, which ensures zero output from registers of a decoderdefined in an MPEG-2 system after processing an entire DST section.

Hereinafter, semantic of fields including a data_service_table_bytesstructure is as follows.

An sdf_protocol_version field (8 bits) describes the version of aService Description Framework protocol.

An application_count_in_section field (8 bits) represents the number ofapplications listed in a DST section.

A compatibility_descriptor( ) field represents that a correspondingstructure includes a DSM-CC compatible descriptor. Its purpose is tosignal compatible requirements of an application in a receiving platformin order to use a corresponding data service after determining itsability.

An app_id_byte_length field (16 bits) describes the number of bytes usedfor identifying an application.

An app_id_description field (16 bits) describes the format and semanticof the following application identification bytes. For example, a valueof an app_id_description may be defined as Table 1.

TABLE 1 Value Application Identifier Format 0x0000 DASE application0x0001-0x7FFF ATSC reserved 0x8000-0xFFFF User private

An app_id_byte field (8 bits) represents a byte of an applicationidentifier.

A tap_count field (8 bits) describes the number of Tap( ) structuresused for corresponding application.

A protocol_encapsulation field (8 bits) describes a protocolencapsulation type used for transmitting a specific data elementreferenced by a Tap( ) field. A value of the protocol_encapsulationfield is defined as Table 2.

TABLE 2 Value Encapsulated Protocol 0x00 Not in a MPEG-2 TransportStream 0x01 Asynchronous non-flow controlled scenario of the DSM-CCDownload protocol encapsulated in DSM-CC sections 0x02 Non-streamingSynchronized Download protocol encapsulated in DSM-CC sections 0x03Asynchronous multiprotocol datagrams in Addressable Sections usingLLC/SNAP header 0x04 Asynchronous IP datagrams in Addressable Sections0x05 Synchronized streaming data encapsulated in PES 0x06 Synchronousstreaming data encapsulated in PES 0x07 Synchronized streamingmultiprotocol datagrams in PES using LLC/SNAP header 0x08 Synchronousstreaming multiprotocol datagrams in PES using LLC/SNAP header 0x09Synchronized streaming IP datagrams in PES 0x0A Synchronous streaming IPdatagrams in PES 0x0B Proprietary Data Piping 0x0C SCTE DVS 051asynchronous protocol [19] 0x0D Asynchronous carousel scenario of theDSM-CC Download protocol encapsulated in DSM-CC sections 0x0E Reservedfor harmonization with another standard body 0x0F-0x7F ATSC reserved0x80-0xFF User defined

An action_type field (7 bits) represents attribute of data referenced bya Tap( ).

A resource_location field (1 bit) describes a position of anassociation_tag field matching to an association_tag value listed in thenext Tap structure. When a corresponding field is set with 0,association_tag exists in PMT of a current MPEG-2 program. Like this,when the corresponding field is set with 1, a matching association_tagexits in DSM-CC Resource Descriptor in a Network Resources Table of acorresponding data service.

A Tap( ) field may include information on searching a data element of anapplication state in a communication channel of a lower layer. Anassociation_tag field in a Tap( ) field may include correspondenceinformation between data elements of an application state. A value of anassociation_tag field in one Tap structure corresponds to a value of anassociation_tag field of one association tag descriptor in a currentPMT. For example, a Tap( ) field may have a specific structure includingfields of Table 3.

TABLE 3 Syntax No. of bits Format Tap ( ) { tap_id 16 uimsbf use 16uimsbf association_tag 16 uimsbf selector( ) }

A tap_id field (16 bits) is used by an application to identify dataelements. A value of tap_id has a range defined by values of app_id_bytefields related to Tap( ) in DST. A tap_id value is selected by a dataservice provider. Additionally, the tap_id value may be used forapplication to deal with a data element.

A Use field (16 bits) is used to specify a communication channelreferenced by association_tag.

An association_tag field (16 bits) uniquely identifies one of a DSM-CCresource descriptor listed in a Network Resource Table or dataelementary stream listed in PMT. A value of a corresponding field may beidentical to an association_tag value of association_tag_descriptor.

A Selector( ) field describes a specific data element available in acommunication channel or data elementary stream referenced by theassociation_tag field. Additionally, the selector structure may indicatea protocol required for a corresponding data element.

A tap_info_length field (16 bits) describes the number of bytes ofdescriptors in the next of a corresponding field.

A descriptor( ) field may include descriptor information according to acorresponding descriptor format.

An app_info_length field (8 bits) describes the number of bytes of thenext descriptors of a corresponding field.

A descriptor( ) field may include descriptor information according to acorresponding descriptor format.

An app_data_length field (16 bits) describes the length of a byte unitof app_data_byte fields.

An app_data_byte (8 bits) field represents input parameters related toapplication and other private data fields in 1 byte.

A service_info_length field (8 bits) describes the number of byte unitsof the next descriptor.

A descriptor( ) field may include descriptor information according to acorresponding descriptor format.

A service_private_data_length field (16 bits) describes the length of abyte unit in private fields.

A service_private_data_byte field (8 bits) represents a private field in1 byte.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a method of receiving and providing NRTservice in a receiving system by using ATSC A/90 standard fortransmitting data broadcasting stream and ATSC A/92 standard fortransmitting IP multicast stream.

That is, information on stream constituting each virtual channel issignaled to service location descriptor of VCT or ES_loop of PMT. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 7 or 8, if VCT service type is 0x02 (i.e.,digital A/V/Data), 0x04 (i.e., Data only), or 0x08 (i.e., NRT Onlyservice), NRT service stream may be transmitted to the virtual channel.At this point, if 0x95 (i.e., DST transmission) is allocated to astream_type field value in a service location descriptor (or ES_loop ofPMT), it means that broadcast is transmitted. If the stream_type fieldvalue has no value or is not 0x95, only typical A/V is transmitted. Thatis, if the stream_type field value in service location descriptor has0x95, an Elementary_PID field value at this point is a PID value of aData Service Table (DST). Accordingly, DST may be received through theElementary_PID.

Through the DST, types of application and detailed information on databroadcasting stream transmitted through the channel may be obtained. TheDST is used to identify NRT application (i.e., NRT service).

That is, the App_id_description field of DST defines the format andinterpretation of the following application identification bytes.According to an embodiment, ‘0x0003’ is allocated to theApp_id_description field to identify NRT application. The abovenumerical value is just one example, and does not restrict the range ofthe rights of the present invention.

If the App_id_description field value is ‘0x0003’, the next followingApplication_id_byte value becomes a Service ID value of the NRTapplication. A service ID for the NRT application may have a URI valueuniquely identifying a corresponding service around the world.

After the NRT application is identified, PID of an MPEG-2 TS packetdivided from the IP datagram of an NRT service signaling channel issearched through Tap information. Then, IP datagram transmitting a NRTservice signaling channel may be obtained from MPEG-2 TS packets havingPID obtained through the tap information, and NRT service signaling datamay be obtained from the obtained IP datagram. At this point, the IPaccess information of the NRT service signaling channel may bewell-known IP access information, i.e., well-known IP address andwell-known UDP port number.

That is, if the Protocol_encapsulation field value in the DST is 0x04,asynchronous IP stream is transmitted, and if the Selector_type fieldvalue is 0x0102, a device_id value indicating destination address may bedelivered through selector_bytes.multiprotocol_encaplsulation_descriptor is used to accurately interpretthe selector_bytes value and the number of valid bytes in the device_idvalue is signaled. As a result, through the Tap information, an IPMulticast address (or address range) of the NRT service signalingchannel, transmitted to the corresponding PID, is obtained.

Accordingly, a receiver accesses the Multicast address (or addressrange) to receive IP stream, i.e., IP packet, and then, extracts NRTservice signaling data from the received IP packet.

Then, the receiver receives NRT service data, i.e., NRT contentitem/files to store them in a storage medium or display them on adisplay device, on the basis of the extracted NRT service signalingdata.

According to another embodiment, a Stream Type field value of DST mayhave new 0x96 instead of 0x95 to signal NRT service. This is because NRTservice, i.e., new application, may malfunction when a typical receiverdetermines whether there is data broadcasting stream only on the basisof whether there is stream having a stream type of 0x95. In this case,with designating a stream newly, a typical receiver may disregard it toguarantee backwards compatibility.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views illustrating a method of receiving NRT serviceby using DSM-CC addressable section data according to anotherembodiment.

A data transmission method using DST is a standard for transmitting allkinds of IP datagram through digital broadcasting stream, and may beinefficient for the NRT service. Accordingly, FIGS. 10 and 11 illustratea method of receiving the NRT service by signaling the PID of a specificstream including IP address information and section data of the IPdatagram with respect to the NRT service through the data of the DSM-CCaddressable section.

As shown in FIG. 10, the receiver may obtain information that NRTservice stream is transmitted through the virtual channel when a servicetype of VCT (or TVCT) is 0x08 (i.e., NRT Only service). That is, thereceiver may obtain information on whether there is NRT serviceaccording to service_type information by mapping the PID of a virtualchannel into a channel number.

At this point, if 0x0D is allocated to a stream_type field value inservice location descriptor of VCT (or ES loop of PMT), it means thatDSM-CC stream is transmitted. An Elementary_PID field value at thispoint may be the PID value of a DSM-CC addressable section. Accordingly,the receiver receives a DSM-CC addressable section including NRT servicedata through Elementary_PID.

That is, the receiver may obtain the PID of the DSM-CC addressablesection through VCT or PMT. Here, the receiver may obtain anNRT_IP_address_list_descriptor_A( ) field including an IP address of anNRT service signaling channel or an IP address of the FLUTE session fortransmitting NRT service data, which corresponds to the PID obtainedfrom PMT of the corresponding stream.

Moreover, the receiver may receive DSM-CC addressable section data fromIP multicast stream or IP subnet on the basis of the IP address obtainedfrom an NRT_IP_address_list_descriptor_A( ) field. The receiver mayobtain a corresponding IP datagram including a specific NRT service (forexample, A, B, or C) data by searching a DSM-CC addressable sectionhaving PID corresponding to the obtained elementary_PID from thereceived DSM-CC addressable section data.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a method of signaling a DSM-CCaddressable section data by using VCT according to another embodiment.

As mentioned above, the receiver may obtain information that NRT servicestream may be transmitted when a service_type in VCT is 0X02, 0X04 of0X08. Also, the receiver may obtain elementary_PID having a stream typeof 0X0D from the service_location_descriptor( ) field to receive theDSM-CC stream. Here, the receiver may obtain anNRT_IP_address_list_descriptor_B( ) field including an IP address of anNRT service signaling channel or an IP address of the FLUTE session fortransmitting NRT service data, which corresponds to the obtainedelementary_PID.

Moreover, the receiver may receive DSM-CC addressable section data fromIP multicast stream or IP subnet on the basis of the IP address obtainedfrom an NRT_IP_address_list_descriptor_B( ) field. The receiver mayobtain the IP datagram including specific NRT service (for example, A,B, or C) that it wants to receive from the received DSM-CC addressablesection data by parsing the DSM-CC addressable section having PIDcorresponding to the obtained elementary_PID.

The processes for extracting NRT service signaling data and NRT servicedata are described as follows. Here, 0x08 is allocated to theservice_type field value in VCT, and indicates that at least one NRTservice is transmitted to a corresponding virtual channel.

That is, when the receiver is turned on and a channel is selected bydefault or a user through a tuner, the PSI/PSIP section handler obtainsVCT and PMT from a broadcast signal received through the selectedchannel. Also, the PSI/PSIP section handler parses the obtained VCT toconfirm whether there is NRT service. This is confirmed by checking theservice_type field value in a virtual loop of the VCT. For example, whenthe service_type field value is not 0x08, the corresponding virtualchannel does not transmit NRT service. At this point, since the virtualchannel transmits existing service (i.e., legacy ATSC service), thereceiver operates properly according to information in the virtualchannel.

Additionally, in relation to a demultiplexing unit, if a service_typefield value is 0x08 according to a control of a service manager, acorresponding virtual channel transmits NRT service. In this case, PIDof DST is extracted by parsing a service location descriptor in avirtual channel loop of the VCT. Moreover, DST is received by using theextracted PID.

Moreover, the receiver confirms whether a corresponding service providedthrough a channel selected from the received DST is NRT service.

The NRT service is confirmed by an App_id_description field value.

According to an embodiment, ‘0x0003’ is allocated to theApp_id_description field to identify NRT application. The abovenumerical value is just one example, and does not restrict the range ofthe rights of the present invention.

If the App_id_description field value in the DST is ‘0x0003’, the nextfollowing Application_id_byte value becomes a Service ID value of theNRT application (i.e., NRT service). Therefore, the service manager orPSI/PSIP section handler extracts Tap( ) to PID of an MEGP-2 TS packetseparated from the IP datagram of the NRT service signaling channelafter identifying the NRT application (i.e., NRT service). Then, streamPID including association_tag of the extracted Tap is extracted fromPMT.

Also, the addressable section handler may recover the DSM-CC addressablesection by removing decapsulation, i.e., an MPEG-2 header, afterreceiving MPEG-2 TS packets corresponding to the extracted stream PID.

Then, the receiver recovers the IP datagram transmitting an NRT servicesignaling channel by removing a section header and CRC checksum from theDSM-CC addressable section and obtains NRT service signaling data fromthe recovered IP datagram. Here, access information on the IP datagramtransmitting the NRT service signaling channel is a well-knowndestination IP address and a well-known destination UDP port number.

That is, if the Protocol_encapsulation field value in the DST is 0x04,asynchronous IP stream is transmitted, and if the Selector_type fieldvalue is 0x0102, a device_id value indicating a destination address maybe delivered through selector_bytes.multiprotocol_encaplsulation_descriptor is used to accurately interpretthe selector_bytes value and the number of valid bytes in the device_idvalue is signaled. As a result, through the Tap information, an IPMulticast address (or address range) of the NRT service signalingchannel, transmitted to the corresponding PID, is obtained.

Accordingly, a receiver accesses the Multicast address (or addressrange) to receive IP stream, i.e., IP packet, and then, extracts NRTservice signaling data from the received IP packet.

The receiver receives NRT service data, i.e., NRT content item/files tostore them in a storage medium or display them on a display device, onthe basis of the extracted NRT service signaling data.

Moreover, the NRT service may be provided Dynamic Content Delivery (DCD)service according to an embodiment. The DCD service is service fortransmitting content to a receiver periodically or at the user request,and the content is selected from a server according to receiverinformation. The DCD service supports a point-to-point method and abroadcast method in a communication means for content delivery, and theabove NRT service is transmitted through an OMA BCAST method and one ofthe broadcast methods of the DCD service.

NRT service data may be transmitted through the DCD service of the OMABCAST method. In this case, the receiver may obtain the DCD channelinformation to receive NRT service and may receive the NRT servicethrough a corresponding DCD channel on the basis of the DCD channelinformation.

Moreover, the DCD channel information may be included in the NST andtransmitted. For example, the receiver receives NST, and obtains DCDchannel information through DCD bootstrap.

Additionally, the NST may include DCD channel metadata, received througha DCD administrative channel, for signaling of the DCD channelinformation. Accordingly, the receiver may obtain information on achannel for receiving NRT service and metadata through NST.

Accordingly, when NST including DCD channel information is transmitted,the receiver accesses the DCD channel through NST without transmissionof the NRT service signal data, and then receives the NRT service.

Like this, if NST includes metadata of a channel for receiving NRTservice, there are several advantages.

First, without receiving the NRT service signaling data on the basis ofthe service type of a virtual channel, service access speed may beincreased by receiving channel metadata that directly receives NRTservice from NST.

Additionally, update signaling for a channel change item may beperformed in real time in a broadcast environment.

Moreover, access information in OMA BCAST SG may be obtained byreferring to NST. For example, the receiver receives DCD channel metadata on the basis of the DCD channel information in NST, and obtainsaccess information to receive NRT service on the basis of the NRTservice signaling data and DCD channel metadata obtained from NST.

Lastly, NST including a list of NRT service related to another virtualchannel may be transmitted. Accordingly, list information of the NRTservice may be transmitted through a specific NRT service signalingchannel on an IP layer not on a PSI or PSIP layer. Accordingly, in thiscase, backwards compatibility to PSI or PSIP may be reserved.

In addition, as mentioned above, the DCD channel information includingthe DCD channel metadata may be included in the access information of SGin OMA BCAST, and the access information corresponds to the NRT serviceinformation in NST. In more detail, the receiver may obtain NRT serviceinformation in NST from an access fragment of OMA BCAST SG. Accordingly,the receiver may obtain information on receiving NRT service byreceiving NST corresponding to the obtained NRT service information.

Moreover, the NRT service transmitted through the DCD channel may bedivided by a service category allocated. For example, the servicecategory of the NRT service transmitted through the DCD channel may beidentified by 0X0F.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating a bit stream syntax of NSTaccording to an embodiment.

Here, the corresponding syntax is created in an MPEG-2 private sectionformat to help understanding, but the format of the corresponding datamay vary. For example, the corresponding data may be expressed in aSession Description Protocol (SDP) format and signaled through a SessionAnnouncement Protocol (SAP) according to another method.

NST describes service information and IP access information in a virtualchannel for transmitting NST, and provides NRT broadcast streaminformation of a corresponding service by using an identifier of the NRTbroadcast stream, i.e., NRT_service_id, in each service. Furthermore,the NST describes description information of each fixed NRT service inone virtual channel, and a descriptor area may include other additionalinformation.

A table_id field (8 bits) as a field for type identification of acorresponding table section is a table section in which a correspondingtable section constitutes NST through this field.

A section_syntax_indicator field (1 bit) is an indicator defining asection format of NST, and the section format may be short-form syntax(0) of MPEG, for example.

A private_indicator field (1 bit) represents whether the format of acorresponding section follows a private section format and may be setwith 1.

A section_length field (12 bits) represents a remaining table sectionlength after a corresponding field. Additionally, a value of this fielddoes not exceed ‘0xFFD’.

A table_id_extension field (16 bits) is dependent on a table, and may bea logical part of a table_id field providing a range of the remainingfields. Here, a table_id_extension field includes anNST_protocol_version field.

The NST_protocol_version field (8 bits) shows a protocol version fornotifying that NST transmits parameters having a different structurethan other defined in a current protocol. Currently, this field value is0. If the field value is designated with other than 0 later, it is for atable having a different structure.

A version_number field (5 bits) represents the version number of NST.

A current_next_indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether a transmittedNST table section is applicable currently. If the field value is 0, itmeans that there is no table yet and the next table is valid.

A section_number field (8 bits) represents a section number in sectionsin which a corresponding table section constitutes a NST table.

section_number of the first section of an NRT Service Table (NST) is setwith ‘0x00’. The section_number is increased by one each time a sectionof the NST is increased.

A last_section_number field (8 bits) represents the last section numberconstituting a NST table, i.e., the highest section_number. (Highestsection_number)

A carrier_frequency field (32 bits) notifies a transmission frequencycorresponding to a channel.

A channel_TSID field (16 bits) means a unique channel identifier ofbroadcast stream in which a corresponding NST section is currentlytransmitted.

A program_number field (16 bits) represents the number of a programrelated to a virtual channel.

A source_id field (16 bits) represents the source of a program relatedto a virtual channel.

A num_NRT_services field (8 bits) represents the number of NRT servicesin an NST section.

Additionally, NST provides information on a plurality of fixed NRTservices by using a ‘for’ loop. Hereinafter, the same field informationmay be provided to each fixed NRT service.

An NRT_service_status field (2 bits) identifies a state of acorresponding mobile service. Here, MSB indicates whether acorresponding mobile service is active (1) or inactive (0), and whetherthe corresponding mobile service is hidden (1) or not (0). Here, if themobile service is NRT service, a state of the corresponding NRT serviceis identified. Hidden service is mainly used for exclusive applicationand a typical receiver disregards it.

A SP_indicator field (1 bit) is a field representing service protectionif the service protection applied to at least one of componentsnecessary for providing meaningful presentation of a correspondingmobile service is set.

A CP_indicator field (1 bit) represents whether content protection of acorresponding NRT service is set. If the CP_indicator field value is 1,it means that the content protection is applied to at least one ofcomponents required to provide a meaningful presentation of acorresponding NRT service.

An NRT_service_id field (16 bits) is an indicator that uniquelyidentifies a corresponding NRT service in a range of a corresponding NRTbroadcast. The NRT_service_id is not changed during the correspondingservice. Here, if the service is terminated, in order to evadeconfusion, NRT_service_id for the service may not be used for anotherservice until an appropriate time elapses.

A Short_NRT_service_name field (8*8 bits) displays a short name of theNRT service. If there is no short name of the NRT service, the field maybe filled with a null value (for example, 0x00).

An NRT_service_category field (6 bits) identifies a type of service inthe corresponding NRT service.

A num_components field (5 bits) displays the number of IP streamcomponents in the NRT service.

If an IP_version_flag field (1 bit) is set with 0, it indicates that asource_IP_address field, an NRT_service_destination_IP_address field,and a component_destination_IP_address field are IPv4 addresses. If setwith 1, a source_IP_address field, an NRT_service_destination_IP_addressfield, and a component_destination_IP_address field are IPv6 addresses.

A source_IP_address_flag field (1 bit) indicates when a flag is set thatthere is a source_IP_address value for corresponding NRT service toindicate source specific multicast.

An NRT_service_destination_IP_address_flag field (1 bit) indicates whena flag is set with 1 that there is an NRT_service_destination_IP_addressfield for providing a default IP address for components of acorresponding NRT service.

In relation to a source_IP_address field (128 bits), there is acorresponding field if source_IP_address_flag is set with 1, but thereis no corresponding field if set with 0. If there is a correspondingfield, the corresponding field includes a source IP address of all IPdatagram transmitting components of the corresponding NRT service. Arestricted use of a 128 bit long address of a corresponding field is forfuture use of IPv6, which is not currently used though.Source_IP_address becomes a source IP address of the same servertransmitting all channels of a FLUTE session.

In relation to an NRT_service_destination_IP_address field (128 bits),if source_IP_address_flag is set with 1, there is a source_IP_addressfield, but if source_IP_address_flag is set with 0, there is nocorresponding source_IP_address field. If there is no correspondingsource_IP_address field, a component_destination_IP_address field existsfor each component in a num_components loop. A restricted use of a 128bit long address of a corresponding source_IP_address field is forfuture use of IPv6, which is not currently used though.NRT_service_destination_IP_Address is signaled if there is a destinationIP address of a session level of the FLUTE session.

Additionally, NST provides information on a plurality of components byusing a ‘for’ loop. An essential_component_indicator field (1 bit)indicates when a value of a corresponding value is set with 1 that acorresponding component is a necessary component for NRT service. Ifnot, the corresponding component is a selected component.

A port_num_count field (6 bits) indicates numbers of UDP ports relatedto a corresponding UDP/IP stream component. Values of the destinationUDP port numbers are increased by one, starting from acomponent_destination_UDP_port_num field value.

A component_destination_IP_address_flag field (1 bit) is a flagrepresenting that there is a component_destination_IP_address field forcorresponding component if set with 1.

In relation to component_destination_IP_address field (128 bits), ifcomponent_destination_IP_address_flag is set with 1, there iscorresponding field, but if component_destination_IP_address_flag is setwith 0, there is no corresponding field. If there is a correspondingfield, the corresponding field includes a source IP address of all IPdatagram transmitting components of the corresponding NRT service. Arestricted use of a 128 bit long address of a corresponding field is forfuture use of IPv6, which is not currently used though.

A component_destination_UDP_port_num field (16 bits) represents adestination UDP port number for corresponding UDP/IP stream component.

A num_component_level_descriptors field (4 bits) provides the number ofdescriptors providing additional information on corresponding IP streamcomponent.

A component_level_descriptors field identifies at least one descriptorproviding additional information on a corresponding IP stream component.

A num_NRT_service_level_descriptors field (4 bits) represents the numberof NRT service level descriptors for corresponding service.

NRT_service_level_descriptor( ) identifies no or at least one descriptorproviding additional information on corresponding NRT service. Here, aspecific service type for NRT service may be provided. The specificservice type includes a portal service providing web content, push VOD,and A/V download.

A num_virtual_channel_level_descriptors field (4 bits) describes thenumber of virtual channel level descriptors for a corresponding virtualchannel.

virtual_channel_level_descriptor( ) represents a descriptor providingadditional information on a virtual channel that a corresponding NSTdescribes.

Moreover, NRT service is transmitted through FLUTE, and accessinformation on the NST table is connected to FLUTE session informationas follows.

Source_IP_address is a source IP address of the same server transmittingall channels of the FLUTE session.

NRT_service_destination_IP_Address is signaled if there is a destinationIP address of a session level of the FLUTE session.

A component may be mapped into a channel in the FLUTE session, and anadditional destination IP address (which is different from an IP addresssignaled by session) is signaled throughcomponent_destination_IP_address at each channel.

Additionally, a destination port number is signaled throughcomponent_destination_UDP_port_num and the number of destination portsstarting from component_destination_UDP_port_num may be additionallydesignated through port_num_count.

A plurality of channels may be configured for one destination IP addressby designating a port in plurality. Here, one component designates aplurality of channels. However, it is desired to identify a channelthrough a destination IP address in general. Here, one channel istypically mapped into one component.

Content items/files for NRT service are transmitted through FLUTE, andcorresponding FLUTE session information is signaled using accessinformation on the NST table.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax ofNRT_component_descriptor (MH_component_descriptor) according to anembodiment.

NRT_component_descriptor( ) is shown in a component descriptor loop ineach component of each NRT service in NST. Then, all parameters in acorresponding descriptor correspond to parameters used for components ofNRT service.

Hereinafter, each field information transmitted through theNRT_component_descriptor of FIG. 14 will be described as follows.

A component_type field (7 bits) identifies an encoding format of acomponent. The identification value may be one of values allocated forpayload_type of a RTP/AVP stream. Additionally, the identification valuemay be a dynamic value ranging from 96 to 127. Values of the field forcomponents constituting media transmitted through RTP are identical tothose in payload_type in an RTP header of IP stream transmitting acorresponding component.

An adding value of a component_type field in a range of 43 to 71 will bedefined in the future version of the standard. When NRT service streamis transmitted based on FLUTE, in order to additionally signalparameters (described below) necessary for FLUTE session, 38 (which iscomponent_type defined for a FLUTE component in ATSC) may be used, or 43(i.e., an unallocated value) may be defined as component_type for newNRT transmission, and used.

A num_STKM_streams field (8 bits) identifies numbers of STKM streamsrelated to a corresponding component.

A STKM_stream_id field (8 bits) identifies STKM stream having keys inorder to decrypt the obtained corresponding protected component. Here,the STKM_stream_id field in the component descriptor for the STKM streamis referred.

An NRT_component_data (component_type) field provides at least one ofencoding parameters necessary for expressing a corresponding componentand other parameters. Here, a structure of an NRT_component_data elementis determined by a value of a component_type field.

A File Delivery Table (FDT) of FLUTE sessions is used for deliveringitem lists of all content items, and provides sizes, data types, andother information of items related to obtain the items.

Accordingly, the present invention obtains information for accessing theFLUTE session transmitting a corresponding content by using NST, inorder to receive a selected content from SG obtained by using NRT-IT.Moreover, the present invention maps information in a file transmittedthrough a corresponding FLUTE session into information on a content itemof NRT-IT. In this case, identification of service including theselected content item is resolved through NRT_service_id of the NST.

NRT service is transmitted through FLUTE, and access information on theNST table is connected to FLUTE session information as follows.

Source_IP_address is a source IP address of the same server transmittingall channels of the FLUTE session.

NRT_service_destination_IP_Address is signaled if there is a destinationIP address of a session level of the FLUTE session.

A component may be mapped into a channel in the FLUTE session, and anadditional destination IP address (which is different from an IP addresssignaled by session) is signaled throughcomponent_destination_IP_address at each channel. Additionally, adestination port number is signaled throughcomponent_destination_UDP_port_num and the number of destination portsstarting from component_destination_UDP_port_num may be additionallydesignated through port_num_count.

A plurality of channels may be provided to one destination IP address bydesignating a plurality of ports, and in such a case, one componentdesignates a plurality of channels. However, it is recommended that achannel be distinguished through a destination IP address, and in such acase, one channel is mapped into one component.

component_attribute_byte may be used to signal an additional attributeof a component constituting a session. Additional parameters necessaryfor signaling a FLUTE session may be signaled through this.

In this regard, parameters for signaling the FLUTE session are required,and include definitely necessary required parameters and optionalnecessary parameters related to a corresponding FLUTE session. Firstly,the definitely necessary parameters include parameters such as a sourceIP address, the number of channels in the session, the destination IPaddress and port number for each channel in the session, the TransportSession Identifier (TSI) of the session, and the start time and end timeof the session. The optional necessary parameters related to acorresponding FLUTE session include parameters such as FEC ObjectTransmission Information, some information that tells receiver in thefirst place, that the session contains files that are of interest andbandwidth specification.

The number of channels in the session may be explicitly provided, or maybe obtained by adding up the number of streams constituting the session.Through the NST and component_descriptor, parameters such as start timeand end time of the session, source IP address, destination IP addressand port number for each channel in the session, Transport SessionIdentifier (TSI) of the session, and number of channels in the sessionmay be signaled.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax of NRT componentdescriptor including NRT_component_data according to an embodiment.

One NRT service may be included in multiple FLUTE sessions. Each sessionmay be signaled using at least one NRT component descriptors dependingon IP addresses and ports used for the session.

Hereinafter, each field of NRT_component_data will be described asfollows.

A TSI field (16 bits) represents TSI of a FLUTE session.

A session_start_time field indicates a start time of the FLUTE session.If all values of the corresponding fields are 0, it means that a sessionstarted already.

A session_end_time field indicates an end time of the FLUTE session. Ifall values of the corresponding fields are 0, it means that a sessioncontinues infinitely.

A tias_bandwidth_indicator field (1 bit) indicates flags includingTransport Independent Application Specific (TIAS) bandwidth information.If it indicates that the TIAS bandwidth field exists, a correspondingbit is set with 1, and if it indicates that the TIAS bandwidth fielddoes not exist, the corresponding bit is set with 0.

In relation to an as_bandwidth_indicator field (1 bit), flags includeApplication Specific (AS) bandwidth information. If it indicates thatthe AS bandwidth field exists, a corresponding bit is set with 1, and ifit indicates that the AS bandwidth field does not exist, thecorresponding bit is set with 0.

An FEC_OTI_indicator field (1 bit) represents whether FEC objecttransmission information (OTI) is provided.

A tias_bandwidth field represents a TIAS maximum bandwidth.

An as_bandwidth field has an AS maximum bandwidth value.

An FEC_encoding_id field represents FEC encoding ID used in thecorresponding FLUTE session.

An FEC_instance_id field represents FEC instance ID used in thecorresponding FLUTE session.

Provided is a method of providing all Information necessary forreceiving the FLUTE session by signaling the same parameters as abovethrough FLUTE component data bytes, and of receiving files by obtaininginformation on all the files delivered through the FLUTE session thatuses FDT received through the session.

This FLUTE component descriptor may be delivered through aComponent_level_descriptor loop of NST. If the FLUTE channel is inplurality, since TSI and session_start_time, session_end_Time, i.e.,parameters of a session level, should be signaled once, a FLUTEcomponent descriptor may be transmitted only in one of components inseveral channels through a Component_level_descriptor loop.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax of NRT-IT section forsignaling NRT application according to an embodiment.

Information provided from NRT-IT includes a title of content (forexample, a name of downloadable program), download available time andinformation, content advisories, caption service availability, contentidentification, and other metadata. One item of content may include atleast one file. For example, an audio/video clip may be played in a JPEGthumbnail image used for displaying a screen.

An instance of NRT-IT may include data corresponding to an arbitrarilypredetermined period, or may describe a NRT content starting at apredetermined time and ends at the indefinite future. Each NRT-ITrepresents a start time and a duration period that may be indefinite.Each NRT-IT instance may be divided into 256 sections. Each sectionincludes information on a plurality of content items. Information of aspecific content item cannot be divided and stored in at least twosections.

The downloadable content item, which is more extended than a period thatat least one NRT-IT instance takes, is the first of NRT-IT. The contentitem description is stored in NRT_information_table_section( ) in anavailability order. Accordingly, when a value of last_section_number isgreater than 0 (it means that NRT-IT is transmitted to a plurality ofsections), all content item description in a specific section not thefirst section may have the same as or higher availability than thecontent item description of the next section.

Each NRT-IT identifies an NRT service related to a specific value of avalid service_id in a specific virtual channel during the period.

A table_id field (8 bits) is set with 0xTBD to identify a table sectionthat a corresponding table section constitutes NRT-IT.

A service_id field (16 bits) describes a service_id field related to NRTservice showing a content item that the section describes.

An NRT_IT_version_number field (5 bits) is defined as a set in at leastone NRT_content_table_section( ) having a common value with respect toservice_id, current_next_indicator, protocol_version, andtime_span_start fields. It identifies a version number of an NRT-ITinstance. The version number is increased by 1 modulo 32 when a field ofNRT-IT instance is changed.

A current_next_indicator field (1 bit) represents that a correspondingtable section is applicable currently if set with 1.

A protocol_version field (8 bits) is set with 0. A function ofprotocol_version allows a table type having parameters in the future,which has a different structure than those defined in the currentprotocol. Currently, only one valid value of protocol_version is 0. Avalue other than 0 in protocol_version is used for the future version ofstandard to recognize other tables having different structures.

A time_span_start field (32 bits) represents a start time of an instanceperiod represented in GPS sec from 00:00:00 UTC, Jan. 6, 1980. A time ofday of time_span_start is set to 00 min of the time. A value 0 oftime_span_start represents a period of an NRT-IT instance starting froma negative past. A value of time_span is identical at each section ofmulti-sectioned NRT-IT instance. Values of time_span_start andtime_span_length are set not to overlap another NRT-IT instance of an IPsubnet at a specified period.

A time_span_length field (11 bits) identifies a number of min startingat the time recognized at time_span_start that the instance covers. Onceit is set, a value of time_span_length does not change in a value oftime_span_start. If a value of time_span_length is 0, an NRT-IT instancecovers an entire time starting from time_span_start at the indefinitefuture. When a value of time_span_start is 0, there is no meaning intime_span_length.

A value of time_span_start is identical at each section ofmulti-sectioned NRT-IT instance. Values of time_span_start andtime_span_length are set not to overlap another NRT-IT instance of an IPsubnet at a specified period.

A num_items_in_section field (8 bits) represents the number of contentitems described in an NRT-IT section.

A content_linkage field (16 bits) represents an identification numberwithin a range from 0x0001 to 0xFFFF. 0x0000 is not used.content_linkage is a linkage function for two: this links at least onefile of FLUTE FDT related to NRT service with metadata of NRT-IT andforms TF_id (identifier for Text Fragement in Text FragmentTable). Avalue of a content_linkage field corresponds to a value of anFDTCotent-Linkage element or a value of a File-Content-Linkage elementin FLUTE FDT of each file related to a content item. A priority rule isapplied when each content linkage value including a correspondingcontent linkage element in FLUTE FDT is matched.

A TF_available flag (Boolean flag) is set with 1 when Text Fragmentexists in a Text Fragment Table of a service signaling channel. If TextFragment is not included in a service signaling channel for the contentitem, a value of the TF_available field is set with 0.

If a low_latency flag (Boolean flag) is set with 1, as a user waits,content is valid in a current digital transmission of sufficiently lowdelay time that collection attempts. If set with 0, a collection delaytime becomes longer and a user interface suggests a post view to a user.

A playback_length_in_seconds (20 bits) is an integer representing aplaying time of a content in sec. A content including texts and/or stillimages has a value of 0. In relation to a content including audio oraudio/video content, playback_length_in_seconds represents a playingtime of audio or audio/video content.

If a content_length_included flag (Boolean flag) is set with 1, acontent_length field exists in the repetition in a ‘for’ loop. If setwith 0, it indicates that the content_length field does not exist in therepetition in a ‘for’ loop.

If a playback_delay_included flag (Boolean flag) is set with 1, itindicates that a playback_delay field exists in the repetition in a‘for’ loop. If set with 0, it indicates that the playback_delay fielddoes not exist in the repetition in a ‘for’ loop.

If an expiration_included flag (Boolean flag) is set with 1, anexpiration field exits in the repetition in a ‘for’ loop. If set with 0,it indicates that the expiration field does not exist in the repetitionin a ‘for’ loop.

A duration (12 bits) field represents an expected cycle time of carouselincluding a referenced content item in a range of 1 to 2880 in min. Areceiver uses a duration parameter determining a time taking for thereferenced content capture.

playback_delay (20 bits) is represented with a number of the next sec ofthe first byte before playing a related content while incoming stream isbuffered. A value of 0 represents playing starts immediately. Whenplayback_delay is not set, a receiver collects a complete file or a filebefore playing.

An expiration field (32 bits) represents expiration time expressed inGPS sec from 00:00:00 UTC, Jan. 6, 1980. After expiration, the contentis deleted from the memory. If it is not expired, the receiver uses amethod that a company for managing a memory resource selects.

A content_name_length_ field (8 bits) represents the length (byte unit)of content_name_text.

A content_name_text( ) field represents a content item title in a systemhaving a plurality of string structures.

A content_descriptors_length field (12 bits) represents an entire length(byte unit) of content_descriptor providing additional information on acontent level.

content_descriptor is a descriptor that is additionally applied to eachcontent item.

descriptor_length (10 bits) represents an entire length (byte unit) of adescriptor.

A descriptor is generally applied to all content items described in thecurrent NRT-IT section.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a syntax structure of bit stream for NRTsection (NRT_content_table_section) according to an embodiment. Detaileddescription of each field in the NCT section is as follows.

In FIG. 17, a table_id field (8 bits) as the identifier of a tableincludes an identifier identifying NCT.

A section_syntax_indicator field (1 bit) is an indicator defining asection format of NCT.

A private_indicator field (1 bit) represents whether NCT follows aprivate section.

A section_length field (12 bits) represents the section length of NST.

An NRT_channel_id field (16 bits) represents a value uniquelyidentifying NRT service including content described in NCT.

A version_number field (5 bits) represents the version number of NCT.

A current_next_indicator field (1 bit) represents whether information ina corresponding NCT section is applicable currently or in the future.

A section_number field (8 bits) represents the section number of acurrent NCT section.

A last_section_number field (8 bits) represents the last_section_numberof NCT.

A protocol_version field (8 bits) indicates a protocol version forallowing NCT, which transmits parameters having different structuresthen those defined in a current protocol. (An 8-bit unsigned integerfield whose function is to allow, in the future, this NRT Content Tableto carry parameters that may be structured differently than thosedefined in the current protocol. At present, the value for theprotocol_version shall be zero. Non-zero values of protocol_version maybe used by a future version of this standard to indicate structurallydifferent tables.)

A num_contents_in_section field (8 bits) indicates the number ofcontents in the NCT. At this point, the number of contents representsthe number of contents transmitted through a virtual channel thatsource_id specifies.

Later, a ‘for’ loop (or a content loop) is performed as many as thenumber of contents corresponding to the num_contents_in_section fieldvalue, to provide the detailed information of a corresponding content byeach content.

A content_version field (32 bits) indicates the version number forcontent (or a file) having a specific content_id value. That is, let'sassume that if content_id of a content that a receiver receivespreviously is 0x0010, the same content, i.e., its content_id value is0x0010 is transmitted. At this point, if the content_version field valueis different, the previously stored content is updated or replaced byreceiving the newly announced content through the NCT. In thisembodiment, the content_version field value means a series numberrepresenting a release version but may actually represent published(released) time directly. At this point, if the content_version field isdifficult to represent publish time, a new field may be used torepresent the published (released) time.

A content_id field (16 bits) indicates an identifier uniquelyidentifying the content (or file).

A content_available_start_time field (32 bits) and acontent_available_end_time field (32 bits) represent a start time andend time of a FLUTE session transmitting the content.

An ETM_location field (2 bits) describes the existence and location ofan extended text message (ETM).

A content_length_in_seconds field (30 bits) represents an actual playtime of a corresponding content in sec unit when the content (or file)is an A/V file.

A content_size field (48 bits) represents the size of the content (orfile) in byte unit.

A content_delivery_bit_rate field (32 bits) represents a bit rate atwhich the content (or file) is transmitted, and means a target bit rate.That is, when a service provider or broadcasting station transmits acorresponding content, the content_delivery_bit_rate field displays howwide a bandwidth is to be allocated. Accordingly, if a receiver usescontent_size and content_delivery_bit_rate, the minimum time forreceiving a corresponding content (or file) is obtained. That is, thetime for receiving content is estimated and provided to a user. Also,the minimum receiving time is obtained by calculating(content_size*8)/(content_delivery_bit_rate) and its unit is in sec.

A content_title_length field (8 bits) represents the length ofcontent_title_text( ) in byte unit. If this field is used, the receiverknows how many bytes need to be read to obtain content_title_text( )information.

A content_title_text( ) field represents a content title in the formatof a multiple string structure.

That is, the receiver uses the NCT to obtain configuration informationon NRT content/file, and provides a guide for the NRT/file on the basisof the obtained configuration information on NRT content/file. Moreover,the receiver obtains access information of FLUTE session, whichtransmits the content/file selected by the guide, from NST, and receivesthe selected content by using the obtained FLUTE session accessinformation.

Moreover, the present invention may include container information,encoding information, and decoding parameters of media objects,necessary for rendering of the content/files constituting NRT service,in the NCT, and then transmit it. Accordingly, a receiving systemextracts the container information, the encoding information, and thedecoding parameters of media objects by each content, necessary forrendering of the corresponding content/files, and uses them inrendering.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax structure of an SMTsession providing signaling information on NRT service data according toan embodiment.

Here, the corresponding syntax is created in an MPEG-2 private sectionformat to help understanding, but the format of the corresponding datamay vary.

The SMT describes signaling information (or signaling information of NRTservice) and IP access information of a mobile service in Ensemble inwhich SMT is transmitted. The SMT uses Transport_Stream_ID, i.e., anidentifier of broadcast stream including each service, and providesbroadcasting stream information of a corresponding service. Furthermore,SMT includes description information of each mobile service (or NRTservice) in one Ensemble, and includes other additional information in adescriptor area.

As mentioned above, the SMT session may be included as the IP streamformat in the RS frame, and then, transmitted. In this case, RS framedecoders of a receiver describe later decode inputted RS frames, andoutputs the decoded RS frames as a corresponding RS frame handler.Moreover, each RS frame handler divides the inputted RS frame by a rowunit to constitute M/H TP, and outputs it as an M/H TP handler.

In addition, examples of fields transmitted through SMT are as follows.

A table_id field (8 bits) is a field indicating a table type, andthrough this, it is confirmed that this table section is a table sectionin SMT. (table_id: An 8-bit unsigned integer number that indicates thetype of table section being defined in Service Map Table (SMT)).

A section_syntax_indicator field (1 bit) is an indicator defining asession format of SMT, and its session format may be a short-form syntax(‘0’) of MPEG (section_syntax_indicator: This 1-bit field shall be setto ‘0’ to always indicate that this table is derived from the “short”form of the MPEG-2 private section table).

A private_indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether SMT follows aprivate section (private_indicator: This 1-bit field shall be set to‘1’).

A section_length field (12 bits) represents the remaining session lengthof SMT after a corresponding field (section_length: A 12-bit field. Itspecifies the number of remaining bytes this table section immediatelyfollowing this field. The value in this field shall not exceed 4093(0xFFD)).

A table_id_extension field (16 bits) is dependent on a table, and may bea logical part of a table_id field providing a range of the remainingfields (table_id_extension: This is a 16-bit field and istable-dependent. It shall be considered to be logically part of thetable_id field providing the scope for the remaining fields).

Here, a table_id_extension field includes an SMT_protocol_version field.

The SMT_protocol_version field (8 bits) shows a protocol version thatallows SMT transmitting parameters having a different structure thanthose defined in a current protocol (SMT_protocol_version: An 8-bitunsigned integer field whose function is to allow, in the future, thisSMT to carry parameters that may be structured differently than thosedefined in the current protocol. At present, the value for theSMT_protocol_version shall be zero. Non-zero values ofSMT_protocol_version may be used by a future version of this standard toindicate structurally different tables).

An ensemble_id field (8 bits) includes values of ‘0x00’ to ‘0x3F’, as anID value related to corresponding Ensemble (ensemble_id: This 8-bitunsigned integer field in the range 0x00 to 0x3F shall be the EnsembleID associated with this Ensemble. The value of this field shall bederived from the parade_id carried from the baseband processor ofphysical layer subsystem, by using the parade_id of the associatedParade for the least significant 7 bits, and using ‘0’ for the mostsignificant bit when the Ensemble is carried over the Primary RS frame,and using ‘1’ for the most significant bit when the Ensemble is carriedover the Secondary RS frame).

A version_number field (5 bits) represents the version number of SMT. Acurrent_next_indicator field (1 bit) indicates whether a transmitted SMTtable session is applicable currently (current_next_indicator: A one-bitindicator, which when set to ‘1’ shall indicate that the Service MapTable sent is currently applicable. When the bit is set to ‘0’, it shallindicate that the table sent is not yet applicable and will be the nexttable to become valid. This standard imposes no requirement that “next”tables (those with current_next_indicator set to ‘0’) must be sent. Anupdate to the currently applicable table shall be signaled byincrementing the version_number field).

A section_number field (8 bits) represents a current SMT session number(section_number: This 8-bit field shall give the section number of thisNRT Service Signaling table section. The section_number of the firstsection in an NRT Service Signaling table shall be 0x00. Thesection_number shall be incremented by 1 with each additional section inthe NRT Service Signaling table).

A last_section_number field (8 bits) represents the last session numberconstituting an SMT table.

(last_section_number: This 8-bit field shall give the number of the lastsection (i.e., the section with the highest section_number) of theService Signaling table of which this section is a part).

A num_services field (8 bits) indicates the number of services in an SMTsession. (num_services: This 8 bit field specifies the number ofservices in this SMT section.). At least one mobile service, at leastone NRT service, or mobile and NRT services may be received throughEnsemble having the SMT. If only NRT services are transmitted throughthe Ensemble having SMT, it may indicate the number of NRT services inthe SMT.

Later, a ‘for’ loop (or a service loop) is performed as many times asthe number of services corresponding to the num_service field value, toprovide signaling information on a plurality of services. That is,signaling information of a corresponding service is displayed by eachservice in the SMT session. Here, the service may be mobile or NRTservice. At this point, the following field information may be providedto each service.

A service_id field (16 bits) represents a value uniquely identifying acorresponding service (A 16-bit unsigned integer number that shalluniquely identify this service within the scope of this SMT section.).The service_id of a service shall not change throughout the life of theservice.

To avoid confusion, it is recommended that if a service is terminated,then the service_id for the service should not be used for anotherservice until after a suitable interval of time has elapsed. Here, ifthe service is NRT service, the service_id may identify the NRT service.

A Multi_ensemble_service field (2 bits) identifies whether acorresponding service is transmitted through at least one Ensemble.

Additionally, the corresponding field identifies whether service isrendered as a portion of the service transmitted through a correspondingEnsemble. That is, if the service is NRT service, the filed identifieswhether NRT service is transmitted through at least one Ensemble(multi_ensemble_service: A two-bit enumerated field that shall identifywhether the Service is carried across more than one Ensemble. Also, thisfield shall identify whether or not the Service can be rendered onlywith the portion of Service carried through this Ensemble.).

A service_status field (2 bits) identifies a state of a correspondingservice. Here, MSB indicates whether a corresponding service is active(1) or inactive (0), and LSB indicates whether a corresponding serviceis hidden (1) or not (0). Here, when the service is NRT service, MSB ofthe service_status field indicates whether a corresponding NRT serviceis active (1) or inactive (0), and LSB indicates whether a correspondingNRT service is hidden (1) or not (0).

A SP_indicator field (1 bit) represents whether service protection of acorresponding service is set. If a SP_indicator field value is 1,service protection is applied to components required for providingmeaningful presentation of a corresponding service.

A short_service_name_length field (3 bits) represents the length of ashort service name in a short_service_name field in byte unit.

A short_service_name field represents a short name of a correspondingservice (short_service_name: The short name of the Service, eachcharacter of which shall be encoded per UTF-8 [29]. When there is an oddnumber of bytes in the short name, the second byte of the last of thebyte pair per the pair count indicated by the short_service_name_lengthfield shall contain 0x00). For example, if the service is mobileservice, a short name of the mobile service is displayed, and if it isNRT service, a short name of the NRT service is displayed.

A service_category field (6 bits) identifies a type category of acorresponding service. If a value of a corresponding field is set with avalue indicating “informative only”, it is dealt as an informativedescription for the category of the service. And, a receiver is requiredto test a component_level_descriptors( ) field of SMT in order toidentify an actual category of the received service. Theservice_category field has an NTP time based component for serviceshaving video and/or audio component.

Especially, in regards to the present invention, if a service_categoryfield value has ‘0x0E’, a corresponding service indicates NRT service.In this case, it is indicated that signaling information of servicecurrently described in an SMT session is signaling information of NRTservice.

A num_services field (5 bits) indicates the number of IP streamcomponents in this service.

IP_version_flag field (1 bit), when set to ‘O’, shall indicate thatsource_IP_address, service_destination_IP_address, andcomponent_destination_IP_address fields are IPv4 addresses. The value of‘1’ for this field is reserved for possible future indication thatsource_IP_address, service_destination_IP_address, andcomponent_destination_IP_address fields are for IPv6. Use of IPv6addressing is not currently defined.

A source_IP_address_flag field (1 bit) shall indicate, when set, that asource IP address value for this Service is present to indicate a sourcespecific multicast.

When a service_destination_IP_address_flag field (1 bit) is set, itindicates that a corresponding IP stream component is transmittedthrough IP datagram having a different target IP address thanservice_destination_IP_address.

Accordingly, if the flat is set, a receiving system usescomponent_destination_IP_address as destination_IP_address, anddisregards a service_destination_IP_address field in a num_channels loop(service_destination_IP_address_flag: A 1-bit Boolean flag thatindicates, when set to ‘1’, that a service_destination_IP_address valueis present, to serve as the default IP address for the components ofthis Service).

In relation to the source_IP_address field (32 or 128 bits), ifsource_IP_address_flag is set with 1, interpretation is required, but ifnot set with 0, no interpretation is required.

When the source_IP_address_flag field is set with ‘1’ and theIP_version_flag field is set with ‘0’, this field indicates a 32 butIPv4 address representing a source of a corresponding circuit channel.If the IP_version_flag field is set with ‘1’, this field indicates a 32bit IPv6 address representing a source of a corresponding virtualchannel (source_IP_address: This field shall be present if thesource_IP_address_flag is set to ‘1’ and shall not be present if thesource_IP_address_flag is set to ‘0’. If present, this field shallcontain the source IP address of all the IP datagram carrying thecomponents of this Service. The conditional use of the 128 bit-longaddress version of this field is to facilitate possible use of IPv6 inthe future, although use of IPv6 is not currently defined).

If the service is NRT service, the Source_IP_address field becomes asource IP address of the same server transmitting all channels of theFLUTE session.

In relation to the service_destination_IP_address field (32 or 128bits), if service_destination_IP_address_flag is set with 1,interpretation is required, but if set with 0, no interpretation isrequired. When the service_destination_IP_address_flag field is set with‘1’ and the IP_version_flag field is set with ‘0’, this field indicatesa 32 bit destination IPv4 address for a corresponding virtual channel.

When the service_destination_IP_address_flag field is set with ‘1’ andthe IP_version_flag field is set with ‘1’, this field indicates a 64 bitdestination IPv6 address for a corresponding virtual channel. If thecorresponding service_destination_IP_address cannot be interpreted, acomponent_destination_IP_address field in a num_components loop needs tobe interpreted, and a receiving system usescomponent_destination_IP_address to access an IP stream component(service_destination_IP_address: This field shall be present if theservice_destination_IP_address_flag is set to ‘1’ and shall not bepresent if the service_destination_IP_address_flag is set to ‘0’. Ifthis service_destination_IP_address is not present, then thecomponent_destination_IP_address field shall be present for eachcomponent in the num_components loop. The conditional use of the 128bit-long address version of this field is to facilitate possible use ofIPv6 in the future, although use of IPv6 is not currently defined). Ifthe service is NRT service, the service_destination_IP_Address field issignaled with a destination IP address of a session level of the FLUTEsession.

Additionally, SMT provides information on a plurality of components byusing a ‘for’ loop.

Later, a ‘for’ loop (or a component loop) is performed as many times asthe number of components corresponding to the num_components fieldvalue, to provide access information on a plurality of components. Thatis, access information on each component in a corresponding service isprovided. At this point, the following field information on eachcomponent may be provided. Here, one component corresponds to one FLUTEsession according to an embodiment.

An essential_component_indicator field (1 bit), when set to ‘1’, shallindicate that this component is an essential component for the service.Otherwise, this field indicates that this component is an optionalcomponent).

A component_destination_IP_address_flag field (1 bit) shall indicate,when set to ‘1’, that the component_destination_IP_address is presentfor this component.

A port_num_count field (6 bits) shall indicate the number of destinationUDP ports associated with this UDP/IP stream component. The values ofthe destination UDP port numbers shall start from thecomponent_destination_UDP_port_num field and shall be incremented byone, except in the case of RTP streams, when the destination UDP portnumbers shall start from the component_destination_UPD_port_num fieldand shall be incremented by two, to allow for the RTCP streamsassociated with the RTP streams.

A component_destination_UDP_port_num (16 bits) represents thedestination UDP port number for this UDP/IP stream component. For RTPstreams, the value of component_destination_UDP_port_num shall be even,and the next higher value shall represent the destination UDP portnumber of the associated RTCP stream).

A component_destination_IP_address field (32 or 128 bits) shall bepresent if the component_destination_IP_address_flag is set to ‘1’ andshall not be present if the component_destination_IP_address_flag is setto ‘0’. When this field is present, the destination address of the IPdatagram carrying this component of the M/H Service shall match theaddress in this field. When this field is not present, the destinationaddress of the IP datagram carrying this component shall match theaddress in the M/H_service_destination_IP_address field. The conditionaluse of the 128 bit-long address version of this field is to facilitatepossible use of IPv6 in the future, although use of IPv6 is notcurrently defined.

A num_component_level_descriptors field (4 bits) indicates the number ofdescriptors providing additional information on a component level.

component_level_descriptor( ) fields are included in the component loopas many as a number corresponding to the num_component_level_descriptorsfield value, so that additional information on the component isprovided.

A num_service_level_descriptors field (4 bits) indicates the number ofdescriptors providing additional information on a corresponding servicelevel.

service_level_descriptor( ) fields are included in the service loop asmany as a number corresponding to the num_service_level_descriptorsfield value, so that additional information on the service is provided.If the service is mobile service, additional information on the mobileservice is provided, and if it is NRT service, additional information onthe NRT service is provided.

A num_ensemble_level_descriptors field (4 bits) indicates the number ofdescriptors providing additional information on an ensemble level.

ensemble_level_descriptor( ) fields are included in the ensemble loop asmany as a number corresponding to the num_ensemble_level_descriptorsfield value, so that additional information on the ensemble is provided.

Moreover, component_descriptor( ) as component_level_descriptors( ) maybe provided to SMT of FIG. 18.

The component_descriptor( ) is used as one ofcomponent_level_descriptors( ) of SMT, and describes additionalsignaling information of a corresponding component.

Accordingly, in relation to mobile NRT service, signaling informationnecessary for receiving a corresponding FLUTE session may be providedusing the component descriptor of FIG. 14.

For example, if a component_type field value of the component descriptorof FIG. 14 is 38, a component_data (component_type) field provides datafor FLUTE file delivery as shown in FIG. 15. Since each fielddescription of FIGS. 14 and 15 is made above, overlapping descriptionswill be omitted.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating an FDT schema for mapping a file andcontent_id according to an embodiment. FIG. 20 is a view illustrating anFDT schema for mapping a file and content_id according to anotherembodiment. They represent an FDT instant level entry file designatingmethod. NRT content includes a plurality of files. However, since eachfile has no mark, it is difficult to search a file related to NRTcontent. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, content_id isinserted into FDT in each file.

Hereinafter, an FDT instance level means, if a common attribute of allfiles declared in FDT needs to be defined, a level including adefinition portion for the common attribute. An FDT file level may meana level including definition for an individual attribute of each file.

A receiver identifies whether a service transmitted through acorresponding channel is an SMT based NRT service. Additionally, thereceiver identifies a content item and file of the corresponding NRTservice.

As mentioned above, although the receiver may identify a file andcontent item in the NRT service, it does not have information on filesof the content item and thus cannot match them. Accordingly, thereceiver may not process the NRT service.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of identifyingwhether a content item is related. That is, a corresponding method showswhat kinds of files are included in a content item. In this case, thereceiver may properly process the received NRT service. Accordingly, thecorresponding method may be designated on the basis of FDT informationin FLUTE session transmitting NRT service. For example, each fileconstituting a content item is identified on the basis of acontent-location and TOI field designated in the FLUTE session.content_id in FDT is matched to a content identifier (content_id) of NCTor a content identifier of content fragment in OMB BCAST SG.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a portion indicated with 1 declares acontent identifier in an FDT-Instance level, and this declared contentidentifier is assigned to all files declared in a correspondingFDT-Instance. Of course, this information may be overridden by assigninga new content identifier in a file level. Or, if a specific file belongsto another content item not a content item defined in the FDT-Instancelevel, this may be notified through assigning a file level content_iddescribed below. This embodiment expresses content_id in 16 bits.

In relation to a portion indicated with 2, when a file in the FDTInstance is included different content items with content_id declarationin a file level, this method signals which file, all files of a contentitem and content, belongs to which entry.

A portion 3 is a method of notifying whether a corresponding file foreach file is an entry file. That is, a file corresponding to a rootfile, which is played first among several files constituting a contentitem or is necessarily executed first to access a content item is calledan entry file, and represents a method of notifying this information. Anentry attribute may be omitted, and its default value is false. When itis omitted, it means that a corresponding file is not an entry file.“Entry” is a head of a file that needs to be processed to execute thefile. For example, “index.html” may be an “entry”. Accordingly, an entryfile may be set with “true” and other files are set with “false”.Through the entry file, transmitting the same file repeatedly may beeffectively controlled. Once a file is downloaded, the entry fileindicates a file of content for another reference, so that there is noneed to download it in another or an additional instance.

A specific file functions as an entry in a specific group as a grouprelated to a file level signals whether entry is possible, but itscorresponding role may fail in another group. When a content identifieris assigned in an FDT-instance level, a method of notifying an entryfile may be considered as the following two methods.

1) A method of additionally assigning a file level content identifier toa file corresponding to an entry file and setting its entry attributewith true: in this case, a content identifier is duplicated in anFDT-Instance level and a file level, but has the most flexiblestructure. That is, although one of the File-level and FDT-instancelevel may designate content_id, if another content_id is designatedtogether in the File-level and FDT-instance, the content_id of the Filelevel has priority to that of the FDT-instance level.

2) like another embodiment of the FDT schema of FIG. 20, filesfunctioning as an entry file may be directly referenced in contentidentifier definition in the FDT-instance level. For this, according tothe embodiment of FIG. 20, FDT-Content-ID-Type is additionally definedfor an FDT-instance level content identifier, and as shown in theportion 2, extends to include a content location of an entry file. Inthe case of the portion 2, an entry level is defined with itscontent_id. For example, each content_id shows which entry file exists.

In this method, content-location is duplicated so signaling may beproblematic, but entry file configuration information may be immediatelyobtained by each content item.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver accordingto an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, according to an embodiment, a receiver receivesNRT service signaling data through an NRT service signaling channel,displays NRT guide information on the basis of the received NRT servicesignaling data, and receives NRT service data for the selected NRTcontent, in order to provide NRT service.

First, once the receiver is turned on, a user selects a channel inoperation S1000. Then, a physical transmission channel is turnedaccording to the selected channel.

Then, VCT and PMT are obtained from a broadcast signal received throughthe tuned physical transmission channel in operation S1010. Then, it isconfirmed in operation S1020 whether there is NRT service by parsing theobtained TVCT (VCT). This is confirmed by checking the service_typefield value in a virtual loop of the VCT. For example, if a service_typefield has 0x08, there is NRT service. Moreover, if not 0x08, since acorresponding virtual channel does not transmit the NRT service, aproper operation such as general A/V service may be performed accordingto information in the virtual channel in operation S1111.

Moreover, if it is determined that there is NRT service, since acorresponding virtual channel transmits NRT service, PID(PID=PID_NST)matching to a specific PID(PID_NST) of stream including a well known IPaddress for NRT service signaling channel address is obtained inoperation S1030.

Moreover, the receiver receives a Transport Packet (TP) having the samePID as the obtained PID value (PID_NST) in operation S1040.

Then, the receiver extracts NRT service signaling data including a NRTservice table (NST) from the received TP, or extracts an IP address forthe NRT service signaling channel access from the received TP, in orderto receive NRT service signaling data transmitted in another formatthrough an IP layer in operation S1050.

Then, the receiver obtains channel information on NRT service datatransmission by each NRT service from NST in operation S1060.

Then, the receiver obtains an NRT content table (NCT) including anNRT_channel_id field value identical to a value of Channel_id, anidentifier of the obtained channel information, from the NRT servicesignaling data in operation S1070.

Then, the receiver obtains content information on NRT contentconstituting each NRT service from each field of the obtained NCT inoperation S1080. For example, the content information may include atleast one of content_delivery_bit_rate, content_available_start_time,content_available_end_time and content_title_text( ) fields according toan embodiment of the NCT.

Then, the receiver displays NRT guide information by using contentinformation in operation S1090. A user may select NRT content to use orbe received, from the displayed NRT guide information.

Then, the receiver obtains NRT service access information having theselected NRT content from NST in operation S1100. The NRT service accessinformation may include channel information or IP address informationfor receiving NRT service data, for example.

Moreover, the receiver receives a corresponding NRT content in operationS1110 by using the obtained NRT service access information afteraccessing a channel or server for transmitting NRT service, and performsa proper operation according to the NRT content.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are views illustrating a receiving system receiving,storing, and playing an NRT content for NRT service according to anotherembodiment.

The receiver of FIG. 23 may include an operation controlling unit 100, abaseband processing unit 110, a service demultiplexer 120, a streamcomponent handler 130, a media handler 140, a file handler 150, aservice manager 160, a PVR manager 170, a first storage unit 180, an SGhandler 190, an EPG manager 191, an NRT service manager 192, anapplication manager 194, a middleware engine 193, a presentation manager195, and a User Interface (UI) manager 196.

The baseband processing unit 110 may include a tuner 111 and ademodulator. The service demultiplexer 120 may include an MPEG-2 TPhandler 121, a PSI/PSIP handler 122, an MPEG-2 TP demultiplexer 123, adescrambler 124, and a second storage unit 125.

The stream component handler 130 may include a Packetized ElementaryStream (PES) demodulator 131, an Elementary Stream (ES) demodulator 132,a PCR handler 133, a STC handler 134, a DSM-CC addressable sectionhandler 135, an IP datagram handler 136, a descrambler 137, a UDPhandler 138, a service signaling section handler 138-1, and aConditional Access System (CAS) 139.

The media handler 140 may include an A/V demodulator 141. The filehandler 150 may include an ALC/LCT stream handler 151, a filereconstruction buffer 152, an XML parser 153, an FDT handler 154, adecompressor 155, a third storage unit 156, and a file decoder 157.

In FIG. 23, the tuner 111 tunes a broadcast signal of a desired channelamong broadcast signals received through a terrestrial wave according toa control of the service manager 160, and then down-converts the tunedbroadcast signal into an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal to output itto the demodulator 112. The tuner 111 may receive real-time stream andnon-real-time stream. The non-real-time stream is called an NRT streamin the present invention.

The demodulator 112 performs automatic gain control, carrier recovery,and timing recovery on a digital IF signal of a pass band inputted fromthe tuner 111, converts the digital IF signal into a baseband signal,and performs channel equalization. For example, when the broadcastsignal is a VSB modulation signal, a VSB demodulation process isperformed for automatic gain control, carrier recovery, and timingrecovery.

The demodulated and channel-equalized data in the demodulator 112 isoutputted to the MPEG-2 TP handler 121 in an MPEG-2 Transport Stream(TS) packet format.

The MPEG-2 TP handler 121 includes an MPEG-2 TP buffer and an MPEG-2 TPparser, and analyzes a TS header after temporarily storing an output ofthe demodulator 112. Then, if an output of the demodulator 112 is an A/VTS packet for real time or an NRT TS packet, it is outputted to thedemultiplexer 123, and if it is a TS packet for PSI/PSIP table, it isoutputted to the PSI/PSIP handler 122.

The PSI/PSIP handler 122 includes a PSI/PSIP section buffer and aPSI/PSIP parser, and after temporarily storing a TS packet outputtedfrom the MPEG-2 TP handler 121, restores and parses a correspondingtable from PSI/PSIP section data in a payload of the TS packet, withreference to a table identifier. At this point, it is determined whetherone table includes one section or a plurality of sections through atable_id field, a section_number field, and a last_section_number fieldin a corresponding section. Also, sections having the same tableidentifier are collected to complete a corresponding table. For example,sections having a table identifier allocated to VCT are collected tocomplete VCT. Moreover, the parsed information of each table iscollected by the service manager 160 to be stored in the first storageunit 180. Table information such as VCT, PAT, PMT, and DST are stored inthe first storage unit through the above processes. The service manager160 stores the table information in the first storage unit 180 in aservice map and guide data format.

The demultiplexer 123, if the inputted TS packet is an A/V TS packet inreal time, divides the TS packet into an audio TS packet and a video TSpacket, and then outputs them into the PES decoder 131. If the inputtedTS packet is an NRT TS packet, it is outputted to the DSM-CC handler135. Additionally, the demultiplexer 123, if the TS packet includes aProgram Clock Reference (PCR), outputs it to the PCR handler 133, and ifit includes Conditional Access (CA) information, outputs it to the CAS139. An NRT TS packet includes a TS packet having NRT service data and aTS packet having NRT service signaling channel. A unique PID foridentifying the NRT service is allocated to a TS packet of the NRTservice data, and PID of a TS packet including the NRT service signalingchannel is extracted using DST and PMT.

The demultiplexer 123, if a payload of the inputted TS packet isscrambled, outputs it to the descrambler 124, and then, the descrambler124 receives information (control words used for scramble) necessary fordescramble from the CAS 139, and performs descramble on the TS packet.

The demultiplexer 123 stores an A/V packet in real time, inputted at theone request of temporary recording, scheduled recording, and time shift,in the second storage unit 125. The second storage unit 125 is a massstorage medium and may include HDD, for example. The second storage unit125 performs downloading (i.e., storing) and updating (i.e., playing)according to a control of the PVR manager 170.

The demultiplexer 123 separates an audio TS packet and a video TS packetfrom the A/V TS packet updated from the second storage unit and thenoutputs them to the PES decoder 131 at the playing request.

The demultiplexer 123 is controlled by the service manager 160 and/orthe PVR manager 170 to perform the above processes.

That is, if a service_type field value in VCT indicates that NRT serviceis transmitted, the service manger 160 extracts identificationinformation of each NRT service from NRT_service_descriptor( ) receivedfrom a virtual channel loop of the VCT and stores it, and then extractsDST PID from a service location descriptor (or an ES loop of PMT) of theVCT to receive DST.

Then, NRT service is identified from the received DST, and PID of anMPEG-2 TS packet including the NRT service signaling channel isextracted to receive the identified NRT service by using DST and PMT.The extracted PID is outputted to the demultiplexer 123. Thedemultiplexer 123 outputs MPEG-2 TS packets corresponding to PID,outputted from the service manager 160, to the addressable sectionhandler 135.

The PCR is a time reference value used for time synchronization of audioES and video ES in the A/V decoder 141. The PCR handler 133 restores PCRin the payload of the inputted TS packet and outputs it to the STChandler 134. The STC handler 134 restores System Time Clock (STC), i.e.,a reference clock of a system, from the PCR, and outputs it to the A/Vdecoder 141.

The PES decoder 131 includes a PES buffer and a PES handler, and aftertemporarily storing an audio TS packet and a video TS packet, removes aTS header from the TS packet to restore audio PES and video PES. Therestored audio PES and video PES are outputted to the ES decoder 132.The ES decoder 132 includes an ES buffer and an ES handler, and removeseach PES header from audio PES and video PES to restore audio ES andvideo ES, i.e., pure data. The restored audio ES and video ES areoutputted to the A/V decoder 141.

The A/V decoder 141 decodes the audio ES and video ES through eachdecoding algorithm to restore a previous state of compression, and thenoutputs it to the presentation manager 195. At this point, timesynchronization is performed when audio ES and video ES are decodedaccording to the STC. As one example, an audio decoding algorithmincludes at least one an AC-3 decoding algorithm, an MPEG 2 audiodecoding algorithm, an MPEG 4 audio decoding algorithm, an AAC decodingalgorithm, an AAC+ decoding algorithm, an HE AAC decoding algorithm, anAAC SBR decoding algorithm, an MPEG surround decoding algorithm, and aBSAC decoding algorithm. A video decoding algorithm includes at leastone of an MPEG 2 video decoding algorithm, an MPEG 4 video decodingalgorithm, an H.264 decoding algorithm, an SVC decoding algorithm, and aVC-1 decoding algorithm.

The CAS 139 includes a CA stream buffer and a CA stream handler, andafter temporarily storing a TS packet outputted from the MPEG-2 TPhandler or service protection data restored and outputted from a UDPdatagram handler 138, restores information (for example, control wordsused for scramble) necessary for descramble from the stored TS packet orservice protection data. That is, Entitlement Management Message (EMM)and Entitlement Control Message (ECM) in the payload of the TS packetare extracted and information necessary for descramble is obtained byanalyzing the extracted EMM and ECM. The ECM may include a control word(CW) used in scramble. At this point, the control word may be encryptedusing an encryption key. The EMM may include an encryption key andqualification information of corresponding data. Information necessaryfor descramble obtained from the CAS 139 is outputted to the descrambler124 and 137.

The DSM-CC section handler 135 includes a DSM-CC section buffer and aDSM-CC section parser, and after temporarily storing a TS packetoutputted from the demultiplexer 123, restores an addressable section inthe payload of the TS packet. After restoring IP datagram by removing aheader and CRC checksum of the addressable section, the restored IPdatagram is outputted to the IP datagram handler 136.

The IP datagram handler 136 includes an IP datagram buffer and an IPdatagram parser. After buffering IP datagram delivered from the DSM-CCsection handler 135, the IP datagram handler 136 extracts and analyzes aheader of the buffered IP datagram to restore UDP datagram from thepayload of the IP datagram, and then, outputs it to the UDP datagramhandler 138.

At this point, if the IP datagram is scrambled, the scrambled UDPdatagram is descrambled in the descrambler 137 and then is outputted tothe UDP datagram handler 138. As one example, the descrambler 137receives information (e.g., a control word used for scramble) necessaryfor descramble from the CAS 138 and performs descramble on the UDPdatagram to output it to the UDP datagram handler 138.

The UDP datagram handler 138 includes an UDP datagram buffer and a UDPdatagram parser. After buffering IP datagram delivered from the IPdatagram handler 136 or the descrambler 137, the UDP datagram handler138 extracts and analyzes a header of the buffered UDP datagram torestore the data included in the payload of the UDP datagram. At thispoint, if the restored data is service protection data, it is outputtedto the CAS 139; if the restored data is NRT service signaling data, itis outputted to the service signaling section handler 138-1; and if therestored data is NRT service data, it is outputted to the ALC/LCT streamhandler 151.

That is, access information on the IP datagram transmitting the NRTservice signaling channel is a well-known destination IP address and awell-known destination UDP port number.

Accordingly, the IP datagram handler 136 and the UDP datagram handler138 include a well-known destination IP multicast address and awell-known destination UDP port number, and extracts an IP multicaststream transmitting an NRT service signaling channel, i.e., NRT servicesignaling data, to output it to the service signaling section handler138-1.

Moreover, the service signaling section handler 138-1 includes a servicesignaling section buffer and a service signaling section parser, andrestores and parses NST from the NRT service signaling data to output itto the service manager 160. When the NST is parsed, access informationof the FLUTE session that transmits content/files constituting NRTservice and signaling information necessary for rendering the NRTservice may be extracted. For example, information necessary forrendering content/files of the NRT service, transmitted from the NST toeach FLUTE session, may be extracted. Information necessary forrendering the content/files of the NRT service may include containerinformation, encoding information, or decoding parameters of a mediaobject.

The parsed information from the NST is collected by the service manager160, and then, stored in the first storage unit 180. The service manager160 stores the extracted information from the NST in the first storageunit 180 in a service map and guide data format. As another example, theNRT service manager 182 may serve as the service manager 160. That is,the parsed information from the NST is collected by the NRT servicemanager 192, and then, stored in the first storage unit 180.

The ALC/LCT stream hander 151 includes an ALC/LCT stream buffer and anALC/LCT stream parser, and after buffering data having an ALC/LCTstructure outputted from the UDP datagram handler 138, analyzes a headerand header extension of an ALC/LCT session from the buffer data. On thebasis of the analysis result of the header and header extension of theALC/LCT session, if data transmitted to the ALC/LCT session has an XMLstructure, it is outputted to the XML parser 153. If the data has a filestructure, after being temporarily stored in the file reconstructionbuffer 152, it is outputted to the file decoder 157 or stored in thethird storage unit 156. The ALC/LCT stream handler 151 is controlled bythe NRT service manager 192 if data transmitted to the ALC/LCT sessionis data for NRT service. At this point, if data transmitted to theALC/LCT session is compressed, after decompressed in the decompressor155, it is outputted to at least one of the XML parser 153, the filedecoder 157, and the third storage unit 156.

The XML parser 153 analyzes XML data transmitted through the ALC/LCTsession, and if the analyzed data is for a file based service, it isoutputted to the FDT handler 154. If the analyzed data is for serviceguide, it is outputted to the SG handler 190.

The FDT handler 154 analyzes and processes a file description table ofthe FLUTE protocol through an ALC/LCT session. The FDT handler 154 iscontrolled by the NRT service manager 192 if the received file is forNRT service.

The SG handler 190 collects and analyzes data for service guidetransmitted in the XML structure and then output it to the EPG manager191.

The file decoder 157 decodes a file outputted from the filereconstruction buffer 152, a file outputted from the decompressor 155,or a file uploaded from the third storage unit 156 through apredetermined algorithm, thereby outputting it to the middleware engine193 or the A/V decoder 141.

The middleware engine 193 interprets and executes data having a filestructure, i.e., application. Moreover, the application may be outputtedto a screen or speaker through the presentation manager 195. Themiddleware engine 193 is a JAVA based middleware engine according to anembodiment.

The EPG manager 191 receives service guide data from the SG handler 190according to a user input, and then, converts the received service guidedata into a display format to output it to the presentation manager 195.The application manager 194 performs general managements on processingapplication data received in the format such as a file.

The service manager 160 collects and analyzes PSI/PSIP table data or NRTservice signaling data transmitted to an NRT service signaling channelto create a service map, and then stores it in the first storage unit125. Additionally, the service manager 160 controls access informationon NRT service that a user wants, and also controls the tuner 111, thedemodulator 112, and the IP datagram handler 136.

The operation controller 100 controls at least one of the servicemanager 160, the PVR manger 170, the EPG manager 191, the NRT servicemanager 192, the application manager 194, and the presentation manager195 according to a user command, and thus, performs a function that auser wants.

The NRT service manager 192 performs general management on NRT servicetransmitted in a content/file format through the FLUTE session on an IPlayer.

The UI manager 196 delivers a user input to the operation controller 100through UI.

The presentation manager 195 provides to a user through at least one ofa speaker and a screen at least one of audio/video data outputted fromthe A/V decoder 141, file data outputted from the middleware engine 193,and service guide data outputted from the EPG manager 191.

Moreover, one of the service signaling section handler 138-1, theservice manager 160, and the NRT service manager 192 obtains contentconstituting the NRT service or IP access information on the FLUTEsession transmitting a file, from a FLUTE session loop of NST (or an acomponent loop of NST). Additionally, the one obtains FLUTE level accessinformation from component_descriptor( ) received in the component loopof the NST.

Then, the ALC/LCT stream handler and the file decoder 157 access theFLUTE file delivery session by using the obtained FLUTE level accessinformation to collect files in the session. Once the files arecollected, they constitute one NRT service. This NRT service may bestored in the third storage unit 156, or outputted to the middlewareengine 193 or the A/V decoder 141 to be displayed on a display device.

The third storage unit 158, i.e., a storage medium storing a file suchas NRT service data, may be shared with the second storage unit 125, ormay be separately used.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a receiver to receiveand provide NRT service according to an embodiment.

The receiver may obtain NRT service signaling information through an NRTservice signaling channel or by receiving IP datagram in the case ofmobile NRT service, and obtains SMT from the NRT service signalinginformation in operation S2010.

Then, the receiver obtains NRT service information from SMT in operationS2020. The NRT service information may be obtained by parsingNRT_service_info_descriptor in a service level descriptor loop. Theobtained NRT service information may include requirement information onan application type for each NRT service or other NRT services.

Later, the receiver outputs NRT service guide on the basis of theobtained NRT service information in operation S2030. The NRT serviceguide may include application and service category information on eachservice. Additionally, detailed information may be further displayed onthe basis of each field of NRT service info descriptor. The detailedinformation may include capacity information on corresponding NRTservice according to a storage_requirement field or audio or video codecinformation on corresponding NRT service according to anaudio_codec_type or video_codec_type field. A user may select NRTservice to receive and use it on the basis of the information in theservice guide.

Then, the receiver obtains identifier (content_id) for content itemsconstituting the selected NRT service from NCT in operation S2040. Thereceiver obtains NRT_service_id corresponding to the selected NRTservice from SMT, obtains NCT having the same NRT_channel_id value asthe obtained NRT_service_id, and obtains an identifier (content_id) forcontent items constituting a corresponding NRT service through theobtained NCT.

Then, the receiver accesses the FLUTE session to receive a fileconstituting the corresponding content item by using the obtainedcontent item identifier (content_id) in operation S2050. Since each fileconstituting the content item is matched to TOI or a content locationfield of FDT in the FLUTE session, the receiver receives a file of acorresponding content item by using the FLUTE session in operationS2060. The receiving of the file may include receiving a correspondingfile or object when a Content-ID attribute field for a correspondingfile is identical to the obtained content_id after reading FDT in acorresponding FLUTE session.

Additionally, the receiver parses FDT instances in a corresponding FLUTEsession to obtain a list of files corresponding to the content item.Moreover, the receiver obtains entry information including a list offiles serving as an entry among lists of files.

Lastly, the receiver provides NRT service to a user on the basis of thereceiver content item and the list of files corresponding thereto orentry information in operation S2080.

The content downloaded through the NRT service may be used at the timingthat a user wants, being separated from real-time broadcasting.

Additionally, after transmitting NRT service in advance and storing itin a receiver, a broadcasting station may designate a content item ofthe corresponding NRT service, which is executed at the timing of when aspecific real-time broadcasting is transmitted or the NRT service isdisplayed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NRTservice may include content, which is downloaded in advance linking withreal-time broadcasting and executed at the specific timing.Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, theNRT service may include content, which is prepared in advance to executespecific NRT service at the specific timing. An NRT service contenttriggered at the specific timing linked with real-time broadcasting toexecute a specific action for a specific NRT service is called aTriggered Declarative Object (TDO). Accordingly, an NRT serviceapplication is classified as a non-real time declarative object (NDO) ora triggered declarative object (TDO) according to whether it is executedat the specific timing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a broadcastingstation may transmit trigger information on trigging the TDO. Thetrigger information may include information on performing a specificaction for a specific TDO at the specific timing.

Additionally, the trigger information may include trigger signaling data(trigger signaling information) for signaling a trigger, and triggerdata constituting a trigger. Additionally, data stream transmittingtrigger data may be designated as trigger stream. Also, the trigger datamay mean itself.

Such a trigger may include at least one of a trigger identifier foridentifying a trigger, a TDO identifier for identifying NRT service fortrigger, and action information and trigger time on TDO.

The trigger identifier may be an identifier uniquely identifying atrigger. For example, a broadcasting station may include at least onetrigger in broadcasting program information of a predetermined timeprovided through EIT. In this case, the receiver may perform an actionon the trigger target TDO at the timing designated for each trigger onthe basis of at least one trigger. At this point, the receiver mayidentify each trigger by using a trigger identifier.

A TDO identifier may be an identifier for identifying an NRT servicecontent, i.e., a target of trigger. Accordingly, the TDO identifier mayinclude at least one of a trigger NRT service identifier(NRT_service_id), content linkage (content_linkage), and URI or URL ofan NRT content item entry. Moreover, the TDO identifier may include atarget identifier (target_service_id) for identifying a trigger targetTDO described later.

Additionally, TDO action information may include information on actionfor TDO of a trigger target. The action information may be at least oneof execution, termination, and extension commands of the target TDO.Additionally, the action information may include commands for generatinga specific function or event in the target TDO. For example, if theaction information includes the execution command of the target TDO, atrigger may request the activation of the target TDO to the receiver.

Additionally, if the action information includes the extension commandof the target TDO, a trigger may notify the receiver that the target TDOwould extend. Additionally, if the action information includes thetermination command of the target TDO, a trigger may notify the receiverthat the target TDO would terminate. Thus, the broadcasting station maycontrol a TDO operation in the receiver according to a real-time contentthrough trigger.

Moreover, a trigger time may mean a time designated for performing(trigging) an action designated for the target TDO. Additionally, thetrigger time may be synchronized with video stream in a specific virtualchannel in order to link NRT service with real-time broadcasting.Accordingly, the broadcasting station may designate a trigger time withreference to PCR that video stream refers. Accordingly, the receiver maytrigger TDO at the timing that the broadcasting station designates withreference to PCR that video stream refers. Moreover, the broadcastingstation may signal a trigger with a trigger identifier in a header ofvideo stream in order to transmit accurate trigger time.

Additionally, the trigger time may be designated with UTC time. In thecase of UTC time, the trigger time is not a relative time but anabsolute time.

The trigger time may be accurate trigger timing or may include anapproximate start time. Moreover, the receiver may prepare an action fortarget TDO in advance before accurate trigger timing by receivingapproximate time. For example, the receiver may prepare TDO execution inadvance so that TDO operates smoothly at the trigger time.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a bit stream syntax of a triggeraccording to an embodiment.

Here, trigger or trigger data is in a trigger table form, and acorresponding syntax is in an MPEG-2 private section form to helpunderstanding. However, the format of corresponding data may vary. Forexample, the corresponding data may be expressed in a SessionDescription Protocol (SDP) format and signaled through a SessionAnnouncement Protocol (SAP) according to another method.

A table_id field is set with 0XTBD arbitrarily, and identifies that acorresponding table section is a table section constituting a trigger.

A section_syntax_indicator field is set with 1 and indicates that thesection follows a general section syntax.

A private_indicator field is set with 1.

A section_length field describes that the number of bits remaining inthe section to the last of the section from immediately after thesection_length field.

A source_id field represents the source of a program related to avirtual channel.

A TTT_version_number field represents version information of a trigger.Additionally, the version information of a trigger represents theversion of a trigger protocol. The trigger version information may beused for determining where there is change in a trigger structure or atrigger itself. For example, the receiver determines that there is notrigger change if the trigger version information is identical.Additionally, the receiver determines that there a trigger change if thetrigger version information is different. For example, the triggerversion information may include a plurality of version numbers, and thereceiver may determine whether there is a trigger change on the basis ofsome of the plurality of version numbers.

A current_next_indicator field represents that a corresponding tablesection is applicable currently if set with 1.

A section_number field indicates a number of a corresponding tablesection.

A last_section_number field means a table section of the last andhighest number among sections.

A num_triggers_in_section field means the number of triggers in acorresponding table section. The number of triggers in one session maybe one or in plurality. Additionally, the next ‘for’ loop is performedas many times as the number of triggers.

A trigger_id field represents an identifier uniquely identifying atrigger.

A trigger_time field represents a time for which a trigger is performed.Moreover, this field may not be included in the session, and in thiscase, the trigger time may be a time designated from broadcasting streamas mentioned above.

A trigger_action field represents action information of a triggerperformed at the trigger time. A trigger action may include at least oneof a preparation command for target TDO, a target TDO execution command,a target TDO extension command, and a target TDO termination command.The trigger action may further include a command generating a specificcommand or event.

A trigger_description_length field represents the length oftrigger_description_text.

A trigger_description_text field represents description for acorresponding trigger in a text format.

A service_id_ref field represents an identifier identifying a target TDOof a trigger. Accordingly, for example, a service_id_ref field mayindicate an NRT_service_id field of SMT or NST to identify NRT serviceof a trigger target TDO.

A content_linkage field represents an identifier identifying a targetTDO content item of a trigger. For example, a content_linkage field mayindicate a content_linkage field of NRT-IT or NCT to identify a targetTDO content item of a trigger. Additionally, a service_id_ref field anda content_linkage field may be included in a class for indicating onetarget TDO.

A num_trigger_descriptors field represents the number of triggerdescriptors.

A trigger_descriptor( ) field represents a descriptor includinginformation on a trigger.

When a trigger is in a table format of the MPEG-2 private section, abroadcasting station may transmit one trigger according to a virtualchannel.

A first method of a broadcasting station to transmit a trigger mayinclude transmitting 0X1FF stream including the trigger table, i.e.,PSIP basic PID. The first method may distinguish the trigger table fromother tables by allocating table_id of the trigger table.

Moreover, a second method of transmitting a trigger includes allocatingPID corresponding to a trigger table to a Master Guide Table (MGT) andtransmitting a corresponding PID stream having the trigger table. Thesecond method processes all tables in a corresponding PID stream byusing the trigger table.

Moreover, according to an embodiment, at least one of trigger andtrigger signaling information is transmitted through an MPEG-2Packetized Elementary Stream (PES) in order to designate the accuratetiming synchronized with video and audio as a trigger time.

Here, the video and audio synchronization of MPEG-2 PES will bedescribed as follows. A receiver decoder operates in synchronizationwith a time stamp of a transmitter encoder. The encoder has a mainoscillator, called a System Time Clock (STC), and a counter. The STC isincluded in a specific program and a main clock of program for video andaudio encoders.

Moreover, if a video frame or an audio block occurs in an encoder input,STC is sampled. A sampling value and a constant value as much as delayof the encoder and decoder buffers are added to generate display timeinformation, i.e., Presentation Time Stamp (PTS) and then are insertedinto the first portion of a picture or audio block. When framereordering occurs, Decode Time Stamp (DTS) representing a time at whichdata needs to be decoded in a decoder is inserted. Except for the framereordering of the B picture, DTS and PTS are same. DTS is additionallyrequired in the case of the frame reordering. When DTS is used, there isPTS always. They may be inserted at an interval of less than about 700msec. Additionally, it is defined in ATSC that PTS and DTS are insertedat the starting portion of each picture.

Moreover, an output of an encoder buffer includes a time stamp such asProgram Clock Reference (PCR) in a transport packet level. Moreover, aPCT time stamp occurs at an interval of less than 100 msec, and is usedfor synchronizing STC of a decoder and STC of an encoder.

Moreover, video stream and audio stream may have each PTS or DTScorresponding to a common STC, for synchronization of audio stream andthe decoder. Accordingly, PTS and DTS indicate when audio stream andvideo stream are played at each decoding unit, and are used tosynchronize audio and video.

For example, a decoder of receiver outputs a PES packet in the receivedTS stream as a video PES depacketizer, and outputs a PCR value insertedin a TS packet header to a PCR counter. The PCR counter counts 100 ofthe PCR value and outputs it to a comparison unit. Moreover, the videoPES depacketizer outputs a header of a PES packet to a DTS/PTSextractor, buffers Elementary Stream, i.e., image data to be displayed,in an Elementary Stream Buffer&Decoder. The DTS/PTS extraction unitextracts DTS and PTS values from the PES packet header and outputs themto the comparison unit. The comparison unit, if the PCR value inputtedfrom the PCR counter becomes a DTS value or the PCR value of 100 becomesa PTS value, outputs each signal for that to a decoding/display controlunit. The decoding/display control unit receives a signal that the PCRvalue becomes the DTS value from the comparison unit, and decodes theimage data buffered in the elementary stream buffer & decoder to storethem in a decoded stream memory. Additionally, the decoding/displaycontrol unit displays the decoded image data stored in the decodedstream memory through a display unit when receiving the signal that thePCR value becomes the PTS value from the comparison unit.

Accordingly, MPEG-2 PES includes PTS and DTS in its header, whichsynchronize data transmitted during data transmission with oneelementary stream (ES) or presentation time between a plurality of ES.This is called a synchronized data stream method.

That is, according to an embodiment, a broadcasting station includestrigger data or trigger stream in the payload of PES and designatestrigger time as a PTS value of the PES packet header by using the abovesynchronized data stream method. In this case, the receiver may triggera target TDO at the accurate timing according to the PCR value that PTSof PES including a trigger refers. Accordingly, a broadcasting stationmay synchronize a trigger at the accurate timing of audio and videopresentation that the broadcasting station is to trigger by using thePTS of the PES packet header designated as a trigger time and the PTS ofthe audio and video PES packet header.

Moreover, in relation to the header of the PES stream packet including atrigger, a stream_type value may be 0x06 to indicate a synchronized datastream method, stream_id may indicate a identifier of a predeterminedstream, and PES_packet_length may indicate the length of PES streamincluding the payload of PES stream.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a PES structure according to asynchronized data stream method including a trigger according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 26, PES of the synchronized data stream method mayinclude a PES header and PES payload. The PES payload may include asynchronized data packet structure. As mentioned above, the triggerincluding a trigger table or another type of data may be included in thePES payload of FIG. 26 and then transmitted. Additionally, abroadcasting station may packetize the trigger in an IP datagram format,and may include and transmit the packetized trigger in an IP data area.

FIG. 27 is a view illustrating a synchronized data packet structure ofPES payload for transmitting trigger as bit stream syntax according toan embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the trigger may be included in thesynchronized data packet structure and then transmitted. Detaileddescription of each field in the structure is as follows.

A data_identifier field is an identifier identifying a type of dataincluded in a PES data packet. This may be set with 0X22 according to atype.

A sub_stream_id field is an identifier (user private) settable by auser.

A PTS_extension_flag field indicates whether there is a PTS_extensionfield. If this field value is 1, the PTS_extension field may be in thePES data packet field. Additionally, this field may be 0 when there isno PTS_extension field.

An output_data_rate_flag field may be set with 0.

A synchronized_data_packet_header_length field represents the length ofan optical field in the PES packet header. This field may be included Ifthe PTS_extension_flag field is 1, and represents the length includingsynchronized_data_private_data_byte(s).

A PTS_extension field extends PTS delivered from the header of acorresponding PES packet. This field may include 9 bit Program ClockReference (PCR) extension information. Additionally, a receiver mayextend the PTS resolution of synchronized data from 11.1 ρs (90 kHz),i.e., the MPEG-2 standard, to 37 ns (27 MHz).

A synchronized_data_private_data_byte field represents a payload byte ofa synchronized PES packet. If the protocol_encapsulation of DSTrepresents one of synchronized datagram, IP datagram not includingLLC/SNAP, and multiprotocol including LLS/SNAP, thesynchronized_data_byte field may include one unique datagram.Accordingly, when LLC/SNAP is used, an 8 byte LLC/SNAP header may beshown in only the first 8 byte synchronized_data_byte of the PES packet.

Accordingly, if a broadcasting station includes a trigger in asynchronized data stream (stream_type) of PES and transmits it, areceiver may extract trigger stream from the payload of PES.Additionally, the receiver may perform an action on a target TDO byusing the PTS value of the PES header as a trigger time. Accordingly,TDO may be trigged at the accurate timing of a frame unit bysynchronizing a trigger on the basis of PTS, i.e., a reference time forpresentation synchronization of video and audio. Additionally, when atrigger time is designated with PTS, video and audio synchronization maybe easily obtained.

Moreover, trigger signaling information on obtaining trigger stream istransmitted according to an embodiment. A receiver receives triggersignaling information and obtains trigger stream in the synchronizeddata stream of PES on the basis of the received trigger signalinginformation.

A method of transmitting trigger signaling information to obtain triggerstream transmitted using synchronized data streaming may vary. One ofthe following methods is used to transmit trigger signalinginformation: 1. a transmission method through DST; 2. a transmissionmethod through a service id descriptor; 3. a transmission method througha trigger stream descriptor; and 4. a transmission method by defining astream type of trigger stream.

According to an embodiment, trigger signaling information may betransmitted through DST for NRT service. DST is a table session fortransmitting data service. Since its description and description for itsdata_service_bytes( ) are identical to those of FIG. 8, overlappingdescription will be omitted.

The DST may include signaling data for receiving each Elementary Stream(ES) constituting data service. Accordingly, trigger signaling data forreceiving trigger stream may be included in DST.

Moreover, each data service may include at least one application, andeach application may in an application identification structureincluding an application identifier such as app_id. Moreover, eachapplication may include at least one data element constituting acorresponding application or data stream.

Accordingly, in order to transmit trigger stream through data service, abroadcasting station includes one trigger stream in a specific virtualchannel and transmits it. Moreover, the broadcasting station may includeone trigger stream in each application and transmit it. Accordingly,embodiments for transmitting trigger signaling information will bedescribed according to two methods.

When one trigger stream is included a virtual channel, a data servicefor transmitting trigger stream is called a trigger service. In thiscase, a broadcasting station may allocate a fixed service identifier(service ID) to a trigger service.

Accordingly, a receiver may identify that one trigger stream istransmitted to a virtual channel when the service identifier has 0X01 asa fixed value.

Here, the broadcasting station may include trigger signaling informationin an application identification structure in DST and transmit it.

For example, the broadcasting station adds 0x0001 as anApp_id_description field value of DST to set a value that meansinteractive application for linking NT service such as TDO with areal-time broadcast Additionally, app_id_byte_length may use 3 bytes(0x0003) and app_id_byte may be allocated with 0x01 to indicate thatcorresponding data service includes trigger stream signalinginformation.

Accordingly, the receiver receives DST through the above method, and mayidentify tap( ) including trigger signaling information whenapp_id_byte_length is 0x0003, app_id_description is 0x0001, andapp_id_byte is 0x01. The receiver extracts trigger signaling informationincluding an association_tag value from the identified tap( ) structure,and association_tag_descriptor receives stream having the same PID asthe extracted association_tag from data elementary stream (ES) listed inPMT extracted from broadcasting stream in order to receive triggerstream.

As mentioned above, NRT service is signaled through SMR or NST, and maybe uniquely identified through 16 bit service identifier (service_id).Additionally, content items constituting NRT service may be identifiedthrough conent_lengate or a content identifier in NCT or NRT-IT.Accordingly, trigger service may be transmitted like NRT service byextending app_id_byte through DST. For example, app_id_byte may includedata combining a service identifier (service id) field of triggerservice and a content_linkage field. Accordingly, the first 16 bits ofapp_id_byte correspond to a service id field in SMT or NST, and thelater 32 bits correspond to a content linkage field in NCT or NRT-IT.

As above, the broadcasting station may include trigger signalinginformation in tap( ) and transmits it through an applicationidentification structure of DST when one stream is included in eachchannel.

Moreover, according to an embodiment, trigger signaling information maybe transmitted through a protocol_encapsulation field of DST. Forexample, if app_id_byte_length in DST is set with 0x0000, app id is notallocated. If protocol_encapsulation has 0x0F, it indicates that triggersignaling information is included in a corresponding tap( ) structure.Accordingly, a receiver may receive trigger signaling information fromthe corresponding tap( ) structure if app_id_byte_length is 0x0000 andprotocol_encapsulation is 0x0F. Through this, a PID value on PMTindicating trigger stream is obtained and trigger stream is received asmentioned above.

Moreover, according to another embodiment, trigger signaling informationmay be transmitted through a content type descriptor field of DST.

As shown in FIG. 28, a content type descriptor structure in tap( ) onDST according to an embodiment is as follows.

A descriptorTag may have 0x72 to represent contentTypeDescriptor.

A descriptorLenth field represents the total length of a descriptor in abyte unit.

A contentTypeByte field represents a MIME media type value of datareferenced by tap connected to the descriptor. The MIME media type isdefined in 5 of RFC2045 section [8].

Accordingly, a content type descriptor may be added to a tap( )structure including trigger signaling information according to anembodiment. Accordingly, a receiver may receive trigger signalinginformation from the corresponding tap( ) structure ifapp_id_byte_length is 0x0000 and content type descriptor of the tap( )structure corresponds to the predetermined content. Through this, a PIDvalue on PMT indicating trigger stream is obtained and trigger stream isreceived as mentioned above. The MIME media type may be designated witha specific type to identify that there is trigger service signalinginformation through a content type descriptor.

As mentioned above, one NRT service may be a trigger service fortransmitting trigger stream and may transmit respectively differentstream to content items in the trigger service. In this case, eachapplication may include one trigger stream.

Accordingly, an embodiment may include trigger stream in each contentitem of NRT service and may transmit it. In this case, theabove-mentioned application identification structure may be used. Forexample, if app_id_byte_length is 0x0003, it indicates that triggerstream is transmitted through one NRT service by using one serviceidentifier. If app_id_byte_length is 0x0007, it indicates that triggerstream is transmitted by each content item by using a service identifierand content linkage. If defined as above, each trigger stream may betransmitted in correspondence to each NRT service or content item. Sincethe next stage of a method of transmitting and receiving trigger streamis identical to that of transmitting one trigger stream for each virtualchannel, overlapping description will be omitted.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a syntax of PMT and service identifierdescriptor according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 29, a Program Map Table (PMT) represents information ofa program broadcasted in each channel. A Program AssociationTable (PAT),in which ‘packet ID’ is defined as ‘0x00’ and transmitted, may receivePMT by parsing ‘packet ID’ of PMT.

Moreover, a service identifier descriptor may be included in adescriptor loop for each ES of PMT. Then, it may include listinformation of services in each program element.

A structure of the service identifier descriptor will be described asfollows.

A descriptor_tag field indicates that the descriptor isservice_id_descriptor( ) and may have 0xC2.

A descriptor_length field represents a byte unit length from this fieldto the termination of the descriptor.

A service_count field indicates the number of services in a programelement having the descriptor.

A service_id field indicates a service identifier in a program elementhaving the descriptor.

According to an embodiment, trigger stream may be transmitted through awell-known IP address. Moreover, in order to signal a trigger, abroadcasting station may include a specific service identifier (serviceid, for example, 0x01) corresponding trigger stream in a serviceidentifier descriptor and may transmit it. That is, trigger signalinginformation on receiving trigger stream may be transmitted through aservice identifier descriptor. Accordingly, if a service identifier ofservice_id_descriptor in an ES descriptor loop in an ES loop of PMT is0x01, the receiver determines that elementary_PID in the ES loop is PIDindicating trigger stream and receives the trigger stream through thePID.

FIG. 30 is a view illustrating a trigger stream descriptor according toan embodiment. According to an embodiment, a trigger may be signaledusing a trigger stream descriptor. Like the above service identifierdescriptor, the trigger stream descriptor may be included in an ESdescriptor loop in an ES loop of PMT. Accordingly, if there is triggerstream, a trigger stream descriptor may exist in an ES descriptor loop.If identifying a trigger stream descriptor, a receiver may receivetrigger stream by obtaining PID of the trigger stream fromelementary_PID in a corresponding ES loop.

Like this, a trigger stream descriptor for transmitting triggersignaling information may include at least one of a service identifier(target service id) of TDO, a trigger target in trigger stream, and anIP address list transmitting trigger stream. The trigger streamdescriptor of FIG. 30 is provided according to an embodiment and itsstructure will be described as follows.

A descriptor_tag field indicates a trigger_stream_descriptor if set witha predetermined value.

A descriptor_length field represents a byte unit length from this fieldto the termination of the descriptor.

A target_service_count field represents the number of target NRT service(TOD) of at least one trigger in trigger stream.

A target_service_id field represents a service identifier (service_id)of target NRT service (TOD) of at least one trigger in trigger stream. Areceiver may identify a service identifier (service_id) before receivingtrigger stream by using the target_service_id field.

A target_content_item_count field represents the number of target NRTservice content items of at least one trigger in trigger stream.

A target_content_linkage field represents a target NRT service contentitem linkage (content_linkage) of at least one trigger in triggerstream.

Moreover, a trigger stream descriptor is provided according to anembodiment, and thus, it is apparent that it may include additionalinformation or have another configuration. For example, when one triggerstream is transmitted for each channel, a content item field may beomitted. Additionally, at least one of a trigger stream identificationinformation field and a profile information field may be added toidentify trigger stream.

A broadcasting station may transmit list information of trigger targetNRT service such as TDO by using the trigger stream descriptor.Additionally, the broadcasting station may transmit trigger signalinginformation by using the target_service_id and target_content_linkagefields if there is another trigger according to a content item.Additionally, a trigger stream descriptor may further include a list ofIP address information or port numbers transmitting trigger stream.

According to an embodiment, a broadcasting station designates a streamtype and transmits trigger signaling information. A receiver extractstrigger signaling information by using a stream type from PMT andreceives trigger stream through the trigger signaling information. Forexample, 0x96, one of stream types set preliminarily at the present, maybe designated as trigger stream. In this case, a typical receiver has noinformation that a stream type is 0x96 and thus may not process triggerstream and disregard it. Accordingly, backwards compatibility for submodel receiver is guaranteed.

According to an embodiment, a trigger may be included in an Applicationinformation Table (AIT) for transmitting application information in databroadcasting such as Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) or Advanced Commonapplication platform (ACAP), and may be transmitted. FIG. 31 is a viewof AIT according to an embodiment.

Moreover, according to another embodiment a trigger may be included in adescriptor of STT to refer to a System Time Table (STT) as a triggertime, and then transmitted. FIG. 32 is a view of STT according to anembodiment.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating a transmitter for transmittingTDO and a trigger according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 33, the transmitter 200 includes an NRT servicetransmitting unit 210, a trigger transmitting unit 220, a multiplexingunit 230, and a demodulation unit 240. The NRT service transmitting unit210 includes an NRT service (TDO) generating unit 211 and an NRT servicesignaling data generating unit 212. The trigger transmitting unit 220includes a trigger generating unit 221 and a trigger signaling datagenerating unit 222.

The NRT service (TDO) generating unit 211 receives data for NRT servicegeneration from a service provider to generate the NRT service,packetizes the generated NRT service into IP datagram, and thenpacketized the packetized IP datagram into a transmission packet (TP).The packetized NRT service data is transmitted to the multiplexing unit230.

The NRT service generating unit 211 transmits metadata including channelinformation about NRT service in transmission and service_id, to the NRTservice signaling data generating unit 212. Additionally, if thegenerated NRT service is TDO, the NRT service generating unit 211extracts trigger information including a trigger time for triggeringTDO, identification information, and trigger action information of atarget TDO, and then transmits it to the trigger generating unit 221.

The NRT service signaling data generating unit 212 generates NRT servicesignaling data for receiving NRT service by using the NRT servicemetadata, and packetizes the generated NRT service signaling data to thetransmission packet (TP) to transmit it to the multiplexing unit 230.

Additionally, the trigger generating unit 221 generates trigger data byusing trigger information of the TDO received from the NRT service (TDO)generating unit. The generated trigger data is packetized into atransmission packet to transmit it to the multiplexing unit 230.Moreover, the trigger generating unit 221 transmits metadata forreceiving a trigger such as the packet identifier (PID) of thetransmitted trigger data to the trigger signaling data generating unit222.

The trigger signaling data generating unit 22 generates triggersignaling data on the basis of the received metadata, and packetizes thetrigger signal in data into a transmission packet to transmit it to themultiplexing unit 230.

The multiplexing unit 230 multiplexes the received transmission packetsby each channel, and then transmits the multiplexed signal to themodulation unit 240.

The modulation unit 240 modulates the multiplexed signal and transmitsit to the external. The modulation method may vary, and the presentinvention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a receiver for receiving TDO anda trigger according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 34, the receiver 300 includes a demodulation unit 310,a demultiplexing unit 320, a trigger processing unit 330, an NRT serviceprocessing unit 340, and a service manager 350. The trigger processingunit 330 includes a trigger receiving unit 331 and a trigger signalingdata receiving unit 332. The NRT service processing unit 340 includes anNRT service (TDO) receiving unit 341 and an NRT service signaling datareceiving unit 342.

The demodulation unit 310 receives a modulated signal from thetransmitter 200, and demodulates the received signal according to apredetermined demodulation method to transmit it to the demultiplexingunit 320.

The demultiplexing unit 320 demultiplexes the demodulated signal torestore an original transmission packet for each channel to transmitthem to each receiving unit of the trigger processing unit 330 or theNRT service processing unit 340.

The NRT service signaling data receiving unit 342 receives and restoresthe packetized NRT service signaling data from the multiplexing unit 320to extract information on NRT service, and then transmits it to the NRTservice (TDO) receiving unit 341. The NRT service (TDO) receiving unit341 receives transmission packets of NRT service from the multiplexingunit 320 by using information on receiving NRT service, and restores itas service data to transmit it to the service manager 350.

Moreover, the NRT service signaling data receiving unit 332 receives andrestores the packetized trigger signaling data from the multiplexingunit 320, extract information on receiving a trigger, and then,transmits it to the trigger receiving unit 331. The trigger receivingunit 331 receives transmission packets including a trigger from themultiplexing unit 32 by using information on receiving a trigger, andrestores trigger data to transmit it to the service manager 350.

The service manager 350 receives at least one of trigger data or NRTservice (TDO) data from the trigger processing unit 330 or the NRTprocessing unit 340. Moreover, the service manager 350 performs andapplies a trigger action on a trigger target TDO at the trigger timing,so that a trigger action on TDO is performed.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a trigger transmitting methodaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 35, the NRT service generating unit 211 generates NRTservice data by receiving NRT service data from external or on the basisof data received from the NRT service provider in operation S100.Moreover, the NRT service generating unit 211 packets the generated datainto a transmission packet. Additionally, the NRT service generatingunit 211 transmits information on receiving transmission packetsincluding NRT service to the NRT service signaling data generating unit212.

Then, the NRT service signaling data generating unit 212 generates theabove described NRT service signaling data and packetizes it into atransmission packet in operation S110.

Moreover, the NRT service generating unit 211 determines whether thegenerated NRT service is a trigger declarative object, i.e., TDO inoperation S120.

Additionally, if the generated NRT service is TDO, the NRT servicegenerating unit 211 transmits trigger information including a triggertime for triggering TDO, trigger action, target TDO identificationinformation, to the trigger generating unit 221, and the triggergenerating unit 211 generates trigger data by using the receivedtriggered information in operation S130. The generated trigger data ispacketized into a transmission packet and transmitted to themultiplexing unit. For example, a target service identifier for targetTDO and trigger action information applied to a target service may beinserted into a packetized stream, i.e., the payload of PES, and thentransmitted. Additionally, trigger time information is designated into aPTS or DTS format, inserted into the payload or header of PES, and thenis transmitted. When the synchronized data streaming method is used, PTSof trigger stream and PTS of video and audio stream are synchronized toset the accurate play timing.

Moreover, the trigger signaling data generating unit 222 generatestrigger signaling data for identifying and receiving a triggertransmitted from the trigger generating unit 221 and packetized thegenerated trigger signaling data into a transmission packet to transmitit to the multiplexing unit in operation S140. Here, the triggersignaling data may include a trigger stream descriptor or a serviceidentifier descriptor, inserted in a program map table, and may includea packet identifier of trigger stream corresponding to each descriptor.Additionally, trigger signaling data may include a packet identifier oftrigger stream in a TAP structure of DST.

Later, the multiplexing unit 230 multiplexes at least one oftransmission-packetized NRT service data, NRT service signaling data,trigger data, and trigger signaling data by each transmission channeland then transmits it to the modulation unit 240.

Moreover, the modulation unit 240 performs modulation to transmit themultiplexed signal and transmits it to external receiver or abroadcasting network in operation S160.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver 300according to an embodiment.

First, when the receiver 300 is turned on, a channel is selected by auser or a predetermined channel is selected in operation S200. Thedemodulation unit 310 demodulates the received signal from the selectedchannel, and the demultiplexing unit 320 demultiplexes the demodulatedsignal by each transmission channel. Also, the NRT service receivingunit 341 and the NRT service signaling data receiving unit 342 receiveNRT service data and transmit it to the service manager 350 as describedabove.

Then, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 or the NRT servicesignaling data receiving unit 342 confirms whether trigger reception ispossible in operation s220. The trigger reception confirmation may useone of the above-mentioned methods. That is, the trigger signaling datareceiving unit 332 or the NRT service signaling data receiving unit 342uses one of a method of confirming PID corresponding to a trigger in MGTor PSIP based PID, a method of using a tap structure of DST, a method ofusing a service identifier descriptor or a trigger stream descriptor, amethod of using a trigger stream type, and a method of using AIT or STT,in order to confirm whether trigger reception is possible.

Moreover, when it is confirmed that trigger reception is possible, thetrigger signaling data receiving unit 332 receives a transmission packetincluding trigger signaling data to restore the trigger signaling data,and then transmits it to the trigger receiving unit 331 in operationS230.

Later, the trigger receiving unit 331 extracts trigger data from thereceived transmission packet by using the trigger signaling data, andtransmits it to the service manager 350 in operation S240. For example,the trigger receiving unit 331 may receive trigger stream by using apacket identifier corresponding to the trigger stream descriptor.Additionally, the trigger receiving unit 331 extracts triggerinformation from trigger stream and transmits it to the service manager350. Additionally, if the received trigger stream is PES, PTS in theheader of PES is extracted as a trigger time, and a target serviceidentifier and trigger action in the payload of PES are extracted, inorder to transmit them to the service manager 350.

Moreover, the service manager 350 performs a trigger action on a targetTDO at the trigger timing, so that a trigger action on TDO is performedin operation S250. Especially, if the PTS of PES is a trigger time, thePTS of trigger stream is synchronized with the PTS in the header ofaudio and video stream, to satisfy the accurate play timing.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating a trigger receiving method by usinga trigger table according to an embodiment.

The demodulation unit 310 receives and demodulates a broadcast signalfor selected channel. Moreover, the trigger signaling data receivingunit 332 receives a PSIP table through the demultiplexing unit 320 anddetermines whether there is a trigger table in the received table toidentify a trigger service in operation S310. The trigger signaling datareceiving unit 332 searches PID allocated to a trigger table from an MGTor PSIP based table, or searches a table corresponding to Table_idallocated to a trigger table to identify a trigger service.

If the trigger service is not identified, the receiver 300 providesgeneral broadcasting services.

Moreover, if the trigger service is identified, the trigger receivingunit 331 receives the searched trigger table and parses it in operationsS320 and S330.

Then, the service manger 350 receives trigger information includingtrigger time, trigger action, and target TDO identification informationparsed in the trigger table, and performs a corresponding trigger actionon a corresponding TDO at the corresponding trigger timing in operationS340.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver 300 whentrigger signaling information and trigger are transmitted using DSTaccording to an embodiment.

When a physical transmission channel is selected in operation S3000 anda channel selected by a tuner is tuned, the receiver 300 obtains VCT andPMT from a broadcast signal received through the tuned physicaltransmission channel by using the demodulation unit 310 and thedemultiplexing unit 320 in operation S3010. Then, the PSI/PSIP sectionhandler or the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 or the NRTservice signaling data receiving unit 342 parses the obtained VCT andPMT to confirm whether there is NRT service.

For example, when the service_type field value of VCT is not 0x04 or0x08, since the corresponding virtual channel does not transmit NRT onlyservice, the receiver 300 operates properly according to information inthe virtual channel. However, even though the service_type field valuedoes not mean NRT only service, the corresponding virtual channel mayinclude NRT service. This case is called adjunct NRT service included inthe corresponding virtual channel, and the receiver 300 may perform thesame process as the case of receiving NRT service.

Then, the NRT service signaling data receiving unit 342 or the triggersignaling data receiving unit 332 determines that NRT service isreceived through a corresponding virtual channel if a service_type fieldvalue is 0x04 or 0x08. In this case, if a stream_type field value in aservice location descriptor of VCT (or an ES loop of PMT) is 0x95 (i.e.,DST transmission), DST is received using an Elementary_PID field valuein operation S3020. This may be performed in the demultiplexing unit 320according to a control of the service manager 350.

Also, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 342 identifies a triggerservice from the received DST in operation S3040. A method ofidentifying a trigger service uses one of a method of identifying aspecific value allocated to app_id_description and app_id_byte by usingan application identification structure, a method of identifying aspecific value allocated to a protocol_encapsulation field, and a methodof identifying tap including a content type descriptor.

If the trigger service is not identified from the received DST, sincetrigger data transmits general NRT service through a correspondingvirtual channel, the receiver 300 operates properly according to NRTservice in the corresponding virtual channel in operation S3030.

Moreover, when the trigger service is identified from DST, the triggersignaling data receiving unit 332 extracts tap from DST includingtrigger signaling information (PID of trigger stream) in operationS3060.

Then, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 extracts stream PIDfrom PMT including association_tag of the extracted Tap in operationS3070.

The trigger receiving unit 331 receives MPEG-2 TS packets correspondingto the extracted stream PID, and removes decapsulation, i.e., TS header,to restore PES stream including trigger stream. The stream_type of a PESpacket including trigger stream may be 0x06 representing synchronizeddata stream. The trigger receiving unit 331 parses at least one of PTSof a PES packet header from the restored PES stream, a target TDOidentifier in trigger stream, a trigger identifier, or trigger actioninformation in operation S3070.

Then, the service manager 350 performs an action on the target TDO atthe trigger timing by using the PTS of the PES packet header including atrigger as the trigger timing in operation S3080. Here, the target TDOmay be NRT service indicated by the parsed target TDO identifier.Additionally, the action may be one of preparation, execution,extension, and termination commands provided from the parsed triggeraction information.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver 300 whena trigger is transmitted using a trigger stream descriptor according toan embodiment.

When a physical transmission channel is selected in operation S3000 anda channel selected by a tuner is tuned, the receiver 300 obtains VCT andPMT from a broadcast signal received through the tuned physicaltransmission channel by using the demodulation unit 310 and thedemultiplexing unit 320 in operation S4000. The broadcast signalincludes VCT and PMT, and the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332or the PSI/PSIP section handler parses the obtained VCT and PMT.

Also, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 confirms whether atrigger is transmitted from the VCT and PMT to a corresponding virtualchannel. For this, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332determines whether there is the Trigger_stream_descriptor in the ESdescriptor loop corresponding to a corresponding virtual channel inoperation S4020. Whether there is Trigger_stream_descriptor isdetermined by using whether a stream_type value is 0x06 (synchronizeddata streaming) and a descriptor_tag field of a corresponding descriptoris identical to a value set to correspond to a trigger stream descriptorafter searching descriptors in an ES descriptor loop.

If it is determined that Trigger_stream_descriptor is not identifiedfrom PMT and thus there is no Trigger_stream_descriptor, since acorresponding virtual channel does no transmit a trigger, the receiver300 operates properly according to broadcast service in thecorresponding virtual channel in operation S4025.

Then, if there is Trigger_stream_descriptor, the trigger signaling datareceiving unit 332 extracts Elementary_PID in the corresponding ES loopof PMT in operation S4030. The extracted stream PID may be a PID valueof stream including trigger stream.

Then, the trigger receiving unit 331 receives MPEG-2 TS packetscorresponding to the extracted stream PID, and performs decapsulation(i.e., removes a TS header) to restore PES stream including triggerstream. The stream type of a PES packet including trigger stream may be0x06 representing synchronized data stream. The trigger receiving unit331 parses at least one of PTS of a PES packet header from the restoredPES stream, a target TDO identifier in trigger stream, a triggeridentifier, or trigger action information in operation S4040.

Then, the service manager 350 performs an action on the target TDO atthe trigger timing by using the PTS of the PES packet header including atrigger as the trigger timing in operation S4050. Here, the target TDOmay be NRT service indicated by the parsed target TDO identifier.Additionally, the action may be one of preparation, execution,extension, and termination commands provided from the parsed triggeraction information.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver when atrigger is transmitted using a stream type according to an embodiment.

When a physical transmission channel is selected and a channel selectedby a tuner is tuned, the receiver 300 obtains VCT and PMT from abroadcast signal received through the tuned physical transmissionchannel by using the demodulation unit 310 and the demultiplexing unit320. The broadcast signal includes VCT and PMT, and the triggersignaling data receiving unit 332 or the PSI/PSIP section handler parsesthe obtained VCT and PMT in operation S400.

Also, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 confirms whether atrigger is transmitted from the VCT and PMT to a corresponding virtualchannel. For this, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332determines whether there is 0x96, i.e., the specific stream type in theES descriptor loop corresponding to a corresponding virtual channel inoperation S410.

If it is determined that 0x96 is not identified from stream type andthus there is no stream type, since a corresponding virtual channel doesno transmit a trigger, the receiver 300 operates properly according tobroadcast service in the corresponding virtual channel in operationS415.

Then, if the stream type is 0x96, the trigger signaling data receivingunit 332 extracts Elementary_PID in the corresponding ES loop of PMT inoperation S420. The extracted stream PID may be a PID value of streamincluding trigger stream.

Then, the trigger receiving unit 331 receives MPEG-2 TS packetscorresponding to the extracted stream PID, and performs decapsulation(i.e., removes a TS header) to restore PES stream including triggerstream. The trigger receiving unit 331 parses at least one of PTS of aPES packet header from the restored PES stream, a target TDO identifierin trigger stream, a trigger identifier, or trigger action informationin operation S430.

Then, the service manager 350 performs an action on the target TDO atthe trigger timing by using the PTS of the PES packet header including atrigger as the trigger timing in operation S440. Here, the target TDOmay be NRT service indicated by the parsed target TDO identifier.Additionally, the action may be one of preparation, execution,extension, and termination commands provided from the parsed triggeraction information.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver when atrigger is transmitted using AIT according to an embodiment.

The trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 receives AIT by using thedemodulation unit 310 and the demultiplexing unit 320 in operation S500.

Also, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 confirms whether atrigger is transmitted from AIT. For this, the trigger signaling datareceiving unit 332 confirms whether there is a trigger descriptor in AITin operation S510.

If it is determined that there is no trigger descriptor, since acorresponding application does not include a trigger, the receiver 300operates properly according to corresponding application service inoperation S515.

Also, if there is a trigger descriptor, the trigger receiving unit 332extracts trigger data from the trigger descriptor and parses theextracted trigger data to transmit it to the service manager 350 inoperation S530.

Then, the service manager 350 performs an action on the target TDO atthe trigger timing by using the parsed trigger data in operation S540.Here, the target TDO may be NRT service indicated by the parsed targetTDO identifier. Additionally, the action may be one of preparation,execution, extension, and termination commands provided from the parsedtrigger action information.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiver when atrigger is transmitted using STT according to an embodiment.

The trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 receives STT by using thedemodulation unit 310 and the demultiplexing unit 320 in operation S600.

Also, the trigger signaling data receiving unit 332 confirms whether atrigger is transmitted from STT. For this, the trigger signaling datareceiving unit 332 confirms whether there is a trigger descriptor in STTin operation S610.

If it is determined that there is no trigger descriptor, since acorresponding STT does not include a trigger, the receiver 300 operatesproperly according to a broadcast signal in operation S615.

Also, if there is a trigger descriptor, the trigger receiving unit 332extracts trigger data from the trigger descriptor and parses theextracted trigger data to transmit it to the service manager 350 inoperation S630.

Then, the service manager 350 performs an action on the target TDO atthe trigger timing by using the parsed trigger data in operation S540.Here, the target TDO may be NRT service indicated by the parsed targetTDO identifier. Additionally, the action may be one of preparation,execution, extension, and termination commands provided from the parsedtrigger action information.

Hereinafter, according to an embodiment of the present invention, amethod of providing information on NRT service in linkage with NRTservice, real-time broadcast, and an internet network will be described.

As mentioned above, in an actual broadcast system, one broadcast programmay include at least one application executed in linkage with acorresponding program, and such an application may be stored in thereceiver 300 and launched through the above-mentioned NRT servicereceiving method.

However, since a PSIP table does not include information on an NRTservice linked with a broadcast program, when the receiver 300 is toreceive an NRT service linked with a broadcast program, an NRT-IT of achannel including a specific broadcast program all needs to be parsed.Also, even when the receiver 300 receives the NRT-IT first to receive acontent item of NRT service, it is difficult to identify a broadcastprogram linked with the content item. Additionally, since the PISP tabledoes not include information on an internet network, the receiver 300receives only a real-time broadcast program, so that it is difficult torecognize related service transmitted through an internet network.Additionally, for the same reason as above, it is difficult for thereceiver 300 to receive extended EPG on a specific real-time broadcastprogram, which is transmitted through an internet network. Accordingly,a systematic linkage between a real-time broadcast program, NRT service,and an internet network is required.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter 200may include information, which is necessary for linking to NRT serviceinformation such as an NRT or a TDO or an internet network, in a PSIPtable corresponding to a specific channel or program, and then transmitit. Moreover, PSIP table information corresponding to specific real-timebroadcast channel information or program information is included in NRTservice, and then transmitted.

Accordingly, the receiver 300 receives a real-time broadcast channel orprogram, and parses the PSIP table, so that it may selectively receivean NRT service linked with a specific broadcast program. Furthermore,the receiver 300 receives a real-time broadcast channel or program, andparses the PSIP table, so that it may receive an NRT service linked witha specific broadcast channel or program, through an internet network.Then, the receiver 300 receives NRT service to obtain PSIP tableinformation on a broadcast program linkable with the NRT service, andthen provides it to a user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a descriptorproviding information linked with real-time broadcast, for example, oneof NRT service, preview information, extended EPG information, highlightinformation, and related internet portal information, may be included inone of PSIP tables and then, transmitted. According to an embodiment ofthe present invention, such a descriptor may be referred to as a linkdescriptor.

Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention,information on a broadcast program linkable with NRT service, forexample, broadcast channel information or program information, may beincluded in one of an SMT and an NRT such as an NRT-IT and then,transmitted. According to an embodiment of the present invention, such adescriptor may be referred to as an event descriptor.

FIG. 43 is a view illustrating a syntax of a link descriptor(link_descriptor) according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 44 and 45 are views illustrating the contents of fields includedin a link descriptor.

As shown in FIG. 43, the link descriptor includes a descriptor_tagfield, a descriptor_length field, a number_of_links field, and aplurality of link data items. Each of the plurality of link data itemsincludes a link_type field, a link_media field, a mime_type_lengthfield, a mime_type field, a description_length field, a description,link_length field, and a link_byte field.

The descriptor_tag field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to distinguishthis descriptor as a link descriptor. For example, this field may have a0xe8 value.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end ofthe link descriptor.

The number_of_links field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to indicatethe number of the plurality of link data items.

The link_type field indicates the type of related service receivablebased on the link_byte field. For example, as shown in FIG. 44, thelink_type field may indicate type information of specific servicereceivable based on the link_byte field included in a link data item.

For example, a link data item having a link_type field of 0X01 mayrelate to an HTML page of a broadcast program portal. For example, alink data item having a link_type field of 0X01 may relate to an HTMLpage of a broadcast program portal. A link data item having a link_typefield of 0X03 may relate to a Preview Clip service of a broadcastprogram. A link data item having a link_type field of 0X04 may relate toa of an Extended EPG of a broadcast program. A link data item having alink_type field of 0X05 may relate to a highlight service of a broadcastprogram. A link data item having a link_type field of 0X06 may relate toa Multiview service of a broadcast program. Also, a link data itemhaving a link_type field of 0X07 may relate to a TDO service linkable toa broadcast program.

The link_media field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer indicating atransmission medium to receive related service on the basis of a linkdata item. For example, as shown in FIG. 45, when the link_media fieldis 0x02, it indicates that related service receivable based on a linkdata item is receivable through NRT service. Additionally, when thelink_media field is 0x03, it indicates that related service isreceivable through internet service.

The MIME_type_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer indicatingthe length of MIME type information indicating the MIME protocol type ofthe link_byte field.

The MIME_type field may indicate the protocol type of the link_bytefield. The MIME type may indicate one type of text, multipart, massage,application, image, audio, and video, for example.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to indicatea description field indicating detailed information of a correspondinglink.

The description field may indicate detailed information of acorresponding link.

The link_length field may be an unsigned integer to indicate the lengthof the link_byte field.

The link_type field may be a field indicating data to receive theabove-mentioned broadcast program related service. The link_byte fieldmay include identification information of contents receivable throughlink medium. For example, as shown in FIG. 45, if the link medium is NRTservice, the link_byte field may include service_id and content_linkageto receive NRT service. Additionally, if the link medium is internetservice, the link_byte field may include an uniform resource identifier(URL), i.e., internet address information, or URL information.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are views illustrating a relationship between each tablewhen the link descriptor of FIG. 43 is included in a descriptor of anevent information table (EIT) in a PSIP table.

As shown in FIG. 46, the link descriptor may be included in a descriptorloop of the EIT indicating broadcast program information and then,transmitted.

The EIT in addition to a VCT is included in a PSIP and then,transmitted. Since the VCT includes source_id corresponding to aselected virtual channel_number, the receiver 300 parses an EITincluding same source_id as the VCT to obtain information on eachbroadcast program provided from each virtual channel. Each broadcastprogram is identified with event_id

Accordingly, the receiver 300 extracts the link descriptor from a loopincluding event_id of a specific broadcast program in an event loop inthe parsed EIT, and receives information linked with the specificbroadcast program by using the extracted link descriptor through NRTservice or an internet network.

For example, as shown in FIG. 46, if the link descriptor may includeservice_id and content_linkage of the NRT service linked with thespecific broadcast program. In this case, the receiver 300 recognizescontent item position information of the linked NRT service through anSMT, an NRT-IT, and an FDT, and downloads a content item through therecognized position information.

In more detail, the receiver 300 may obtain service signaling channelinformation corresponding to service_id included in a link_byte field ofthe link descriptor, from the SMT. At this point, the service signalingchannel information may include an IP address and a port number.Moreover, the receiver 300 may obtain a list of content_id in a servicecorresponding to service_id included in a link_byte field of the linkdescriptor, from the NRT_IT. The receiver 300 may recognize theidentifier of a content item to be downloaded corresponding toservice_id in the NRT_IT through a content linkage field in a link_bytefield of the link descriptor. Then, the receiver 300 may recognize thepositions of content item files corresponding to content_id in NRT_ITfrom an FLUTE FDT received through the IP address and port number of theSMT. Accordingly, the receiver 300 receives files configuring a contentitem of NRT service linked with a corresponding broadcast program byusing the FLUTE FDT through a FLUTE session. Moreover, the receiver 300extracts URL information of content items, for example, a URL list offiles, linked with a broadcast program from an internet locationdescriptor described later in the NRT-IT, and based on the extractedlist, receives files configuring a content item of an NRT service linkedwith a broadcast program through a network.

Furthermore, the link descriptor may include at least one of portal HTMLpage access information linked with a broadcast, Thumbnail receptioninformation, Preview Clip reception information, Extended EPG receptioninformation, highlight reception information, Multiview receptioninformation, and linkable TDO reception information, in addition to NRTservice linked with a broadcast program. The link descriptor may includeinformation to receive such reception information through NRT service oran internet network.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 47, a link_byte field of a link data itemin the link descriptor may include URL to receive a service linked witha specific broadcast program. In this case, the receiver 30 accesses aninternet site according to internet address information in the link_bytefield, and receives a broadcast program related service through aninternet network. The broadcast program related service received throughan internet network may include at least one of NRT service, thumbnail,preview clip, extended EPG, highlight, multiview, and TOD service.

In more detail, the receiver 300 obtains an EIT corresponding to aselected virtual channel, obtains the link descriptor from a descriptorloop of an event loop (i.e., a for loop including event_id)corresponding to a selected broadcast program in the obtained EIT,extracts an internet address from the obtained the link descriptor, andreceives a service linked with a selected broadcast program in access toan internet network according to the extracted internet address.Accordingly, a broadcast service provider may provide a service linkedwith a specific broadcast program through real-time broadcast. Moreover,the receiver 300 may access an internet network by using internetaddress information, and may receive a service linked with acorresponding broadcast program through an internet network.

FIG. 48 is a view illustrating a syntax of an event descriptor(Event_descriptor) and contents of fields in the event descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 48, the event descriptor includes a descriptor_tagfield, a descriptor_length field, and an ETM_id field.

The descriptor_tag field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to distinguishthis descriptor as a link descriptor. For example, this field may have a0xe8 value.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end ofthe link descriptor.

The ETM_id field may be a 32-bit variable indicating broadcast channelinformation or broadcast program information linked with an NRT serviceincluding the event descriptor. The receiver 200 inserts a specificchannel and program information into the event descriptor by using theETM_id field, and includes the event descriptor in an NRT tablesignaling NRT service to transmit it. Additionally, the ETM_id fieldcorresponds to ETM_id in an extended text table (ETT) providingadditional information of a broadcast program and is used to provideadditional information of a broadcast program.

In more detail, as shown in FIG. 48, when the ETM_id field includesbroadcast channel information, it may be classified as channel ETM_id.In this case, the first 16 bits from the most significant bit (MSB)correspond to source_id of a corresponding virtual channel to identify abroadcast channel, and the remaining bits may be 0. Accordingly, thereceiver 300 matches source_id with VCT of PSIP, so that it may identifya linkage channel of an NRT service including the event descriptor.

Additionally, when the ETM_id field includes all of broadcast programinformation and broadcast channel information, the least significant bit(LSB) is configured with 10. The first 16 bits from the MSB correspondto source_id of a corresponding channel and the 14 bits after thatcorrespond to event_id of a corresponding program. Accordingly, thereceiver 300 identifies a linkage channel of NRT service including theevent descriptor and also identifies a broadcast program linked with NRTservice by matching event_id with an EIT of PSIP.

FIG. 49 is a view illustrating a method of identifying a linkage programthrough the event descriptor according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

For example, as shown in FIG. 49, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 identifies service_id through an SMT and receives andparses a content item of an NRT service corresponding to service_ididentified by an NRT-IT.

Then, when the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 finds a specificpart of the parsed NRT-IT, for example, the event descriptor(Event_descriptor) in a content loop, it may obtain ETM_id includingbroadcast program information linked with NRT service from the foundevent descriptor.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the service manager350 of the receiver 300 may obtain source_id of a channel including abroadcast program and event_id of a broadcast program from ETM_id. Asmentioned above, the receiver 300 corresponds the first 16 bits ofETM_id to source_id, and 14 bits after that to event_id, so that it mayobtain source_id and event_id.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 may identify a virtualchannel matching source_id from a VCT, and may identify an event loop ofa broadcast program matching event_id from an EIT of a correspondingvirtual channel. The service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receivesNRT server related broadcast program information from the identifiedevent loop and then, provides the information to a user. The broadcastprogram information may include at least one of a start time of acorresponding broadcast program, an ETT position, a broadcasting time,title information, and description information in the event loop of anEIT. Accordingly, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 providesto a user the information on the received NRT service related broadcastprogram on the basis of the received broadcast program information.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of receiving by thereceiver 300 broadcast program or broadcast channel related contents byusing the link descriptor according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 50, when the receiver 300 is turned on, it receives aVCT or an EIT by receiving a PSIP table through a PSIP/PSI handler orservice manager in operation S7000. The PSIP/PSI handler or servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 parses each table of the PSIP table andobtains VCT or EIT from the parsed tables.

Also, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 searches for adescriptor loop from the received VCT or EIT in operation S7010. Then,the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines whether there isa link descriptor through searching in operation S7020. The servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 searches for descriptors in a descriptorloop and if a descriptor_tag field is identical to that of apredetermined link descriptor, it is determined that there is a linkdescriptor.

Also, when it is determined that there is a link descriptor, the servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 extracts link information from the linkdescriptor, and based on the extracted link information, displays abroadcast program including the link descriptor or a broadcast channelrelated content list in operation S7030. Link information may include atleast one of a link_type field, a link_media field, a mime_type field, adescription field, and a link_byte field. The service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 generates a list of contents linked with a specificbroadcast channel or broadcast program on the basis of the extractedlink information, for example, at least one of a related internet siteaddress, thumbnail, a preview clip, extended EPG information, highlightinformation, multiview information, and TDO information, and thendisplays the list to a user. Therefore, a user may select content to bereceived from the displayed broadcast channel or broadcast programrelated content list.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines whethercontent is selected and there is a receive instruction in operationS7040. The content may be selected by a user or a predetermined process.The selected content may be content displayed on the above-mentioneddisplayed broadcast channel or broadcast program related content list.Moreover, a user may input a receive instruction on the selectedcontent, and also a receive instruction on the selected content may beperformed by a predetermined process.

Then, when a receive instruction on the selected content is executed,the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives correspondingcontent immediately or perform reception reservation in operation S7050.The case that the reception reservation is performed includes the casethat NRT service cannot be received because an SMT is not received, thecase that a user sets to receive content after a predetermined time, orthe case that NRT service to be received is TDO service that isreal-time linked with a broadcast program.

Moreover, when the link information of content to be received includes asite address accessible through internet, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 accesses a corresponding site and displays a broadcastchannel or program related home page. Furthermore, when the content tobe received is one of thumbnail, preview clip, extended EPG information,highlight information, and multiview information, the service manager350 of the receiver 300 may download it through internet or another pathand then, may display it.

Then, when contents reserved for reception is NRT service, the servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 receives an SMT to identifycorresponding NRT service in operation S7060. Then, the service manager350 of the receiver 300 accesses a FLUTE session through theabove-mentioned method in operation S7070 and identifies a packet forthe content reserved for reception among packets of a content item fileconfiguring NRT service in operation S7080. Then, the service manager350 of the receiver 300 receives the identified packets for the contentreserved for reception through FLUTE or an internet network in operationS7090.

In more detail, since the link information extracted from the linkdescriptor includes service_id and content_linkage information of NRTservice, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives andidentifies the content reserved for reception, that is, a reservedpacketized content item of NRT service, through the FLUTE session on thebasis of the service_id and content_linkage information. The servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300, for example, extracts NRT serviceidentification information from link_byte in the link descriptor asshown in FIG. 46, and receives an NRT service linked with acorresponding program through an SMT, an NRT-IT, and a FLUTE.Accordingly, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 provides theinformation on content linked with a broadcast channel or broadcastprogram that is broadcasted currently or in the future through a VCT oran EIT. Moreover, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receivesthe selected content immediately through an internet network or NRTservice or receives the content reserved for reception after apredetermined time. For example, as mentioned above, the receiver 300obtains URL information of content items on the basis of NRT_IT andreceives files configuring the selected content item of NRT service onthe basis of the obtained URL information through an internet network.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of providing by thereceiver 300 broadcast program related content by using an eventdescriptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.51, the transmitter 200 inserts broadcast program information linkedwith NRT service into the event descriptor and inserts the eventdescriptor into a content loop of NRT-IT to be transmitted to thereceiver 300 through a broadcast channel or NRT service signalingchannel.

When NRT-IT including the event descriptor is transmitted in such a way,a PSIP/PSI handler or service manager 350 of the receiver 300 parses aPSIP table to obtain a VCT and an EIT in operation S7100. The receiver300 may provide information on a broadcast channel and broadcast programselected through a VCT and an EIT to a user.

Also, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines whether NRTservice is transmitted through an NRT service signaling channel or aninternet network, and receives an SMT and an NRT-IT when NRT service istransmitted in operation S7120.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 searches for a contentloop of an NRT-IT and parses descriptor_tag of each descriptor toidentify descriptors in the content loop in operation S7120. Then, theservice manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines whether there is anevent descriptor in the parsed descriptor in operation S7130.

If there is an event descriptor, the service manager 350 of the receiver300 displays broadcast channel information or broadcast programinformation in the event descriptor (for example, a broadcast channelnumber based on source_id or broadcast program EPG information based onevent_id) in operation S7140, and represents that the information islinked with receivable NRT service.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines whether thecontent of NRT service linked with a broadcast program is selected andthere is a receive instruction in operation S7150. The content may beselected by a user or a predetermined process. For example, when abroadcast program that a user wants to view is selected, a receiveinstruction on NRT service linked with a corresponding broadcast programis performed. Moreover, when an NRT service that a user wants to receiveis selected, a content receiving instruction is executed.

Then, when a receive instruction on the selected content is executed,the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives correspondingcontent immediately or perform reception reservation in operation S7160.According to an embodiment of the present invention, the selectedcontent may be NRT service. Accordingly, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 accesses a FLUTE session or internet network on the basisof the pre-received SMT and NRT-IT to receive the selected content suchas NRT service in operation S7170. For example, as mentioned above, thereceiver 300 obtains URL information of content items on the basis of anNRT_IT and then, confirms packets of the selected content item file.

Then, as shown in FIG. 50, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300identifies a packet for content reserved for reception among packets ofa content item file configuring NRT service in operation S7180. Then,the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives the identifiedpackets for the content reserved for reception through FLUTE or aninternet network in operation S7190.

In such a way, the transmitter 200 inserts the event descriptor into acontent loop of an NRT-IT and also includes information on a broadcastprogram linked with NRT service in the event descriptor to transmit it.Moreover, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 provides to a userthe information on a broadcast channel or broadcast program that iscurrently transmitted based on the event descriptor of an NRT-IT.

Moreover, NRT service such as TDO may be signaled through an SMT or anNRT-IT, as mentioned above. Especially, if the service_category field ofthe SMT is a specific value, for example, it indicates that 0x0E, aservice signaled through the SMT is NRT service. Additionally, the SMTmay include a Service level descriptor to indicate an attribute of NRTservice transmitted. A service level descriptor in the SMT may be inplurality and, for example, may be at least one of a Protocol VersionDescriptor, an NRT Service Descriptor, a Capabilities Descriptor, anIcon Descriptor, an ISO-639 Language Descriptor, a Receiver TargetingDescriptor, a Genre Descriptor, and an ATSC Private informationDescriptor. By using such a service level descriptor, the transmitter200 transmits information on NRT service and the receiver 300 operatesaccording to the NRT service information. However, a currently usedservice level descriptor may not include information specified to theTDO suggested by the present invention. Therefore, a service leveldescriptor to deliver information on a TDO is required.

FIG. 52 is a view illustrating a syntax of NRT_service_descriptor, thatis, a service level descriptor.

As shown in FIG. 52, NRT_service_descriptor in service level descriptorsmay include information on NRT service transmitted. The information onNRT service may include auto update, the length of content, savereservation information, or consumption_model information.

Especially, a consumption model field in a box may include informationon a service providing method of NRT service transmitted. Accordingly,the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines a properprocessing method according to each NRT service on the basis of theconsumption_model field, and provides NRT service according to thedetermined method.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter 200presets an NRT service providing method applicable to an TDO andallocates a specific value to the consumption_model field to correspondto the TDO. Accordingly, the transmitter 200 may allocate a valuecorresponding to a TDO to the consumption_model field and then transmitit.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives theconsumption_model field and determines that an TDO is transmitted andthen, receives the TDO according to a predetermined service providingmethod to provide it.

therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when theconsumption_model field indicates a value corresponding to a TDO, forexample, when the consumption_model field is 0x04, the service manager350 of the receiver 300 determines that NRT service is TDO service, andoperates according to a service providing method thereof. A serviceproviding method according to a TDO consumption model of the receiver300 will be described later.

FIG. 53 is a view illustrating a meaning according to each value of aconsumption_model field in NRT_service_descriptor according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The consumption_model field is included in NRT_service_descriptor and isa field indicating which method for consumption_model NRT service thatNRT_service_descriptor indicates uses. NRT service may be providedaccording to a consumption model of one of Browse&Download service,portal service, and push. Additionally, NRT service may be provideddepending on a TDO consumption model according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the meaning of a value of aconsumption_model field and an operation of a receiver suggested by thepresent invention will be described.

First, when a value of the consumption_model field is 0x00, it indicatesthat NRT service is not transmitted (forbidden).

Also, when a value of the consumption_model field is 0x01, it indicatesthat a corresponding NRT service is provided through a Browse&Downloadmethod. In this case, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300browses a corresponding NRT service, and when content is selected,downloads the selected content.

When a value of the consumption_model field is 0x02, it indicates that acorresponding NRT service is provided through a Portal method. In thiscase, a corresponding NRT service may be provided through a method ofaccessing a web browser. Accordingly, files transmitted/received througha FLUTE session linked with a corresponding NRT service may includefiles for text or graphic rendering.

When a value of the consumption_model field is 0x03, it indicates that acorresponding NRT service is provided through a Push method. In thiscase, a corresponding NRT service may be provided based on a request ofa user or the receiver 300. Additionally, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 may allow a user to select whether to perform automaticupdate of content linked with a corresponding NRT service. If a userselects automatic update, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300stores content linked with corresponding service to a cache, andautomatically updates files to a new version. Also, when a user returnsto the requested Push service, the service manager 350 of the receiver300 may display preloaded content.

In addition, when a value of the consumption_model field is 0x04, itindicates that a corresponding NRT service is provided according to aTDO consumption model. In this case, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 determines that NRT service such as a TDO is transmittedbased on the consumption_model field and operates the NRT service inlinkage with real-time broadcast.

In more detail, when the consumption_model field is a TDO consumptionmodel, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives acorresponding NRT service (TDO), and by using at least one of the linkdescriptor or event descriptor, obtains NRT service related real-timebroadcast channel or program information. Additionally, the servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 may receive a trigger included inreal-time broadcast to operate a TDO at a specific time or may downloada content item in advance.

Moreover, in the case of a TDO consumption model, when each content itemis displayed in a currently selected NRT service, it may be downloadedimmediately. When an update version of each content item is displayed ina currently selected NRT service, it may be updated immediately. Also,each content item may be executed or terminated by a trigger.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when a TDO is transmitted by a TDO consumption model according to anembodiment of the present invention.

First, the receiver 300 receives an SMT in operation S8000, and parses aservice level descriptor in operation S8010. The receiver 300 mayreceive an SMT through a service signaling channel by using the servicemanager 350, and may parse service level descriptors including an NRTdescriptor in a service level descriptor loop in each NRT service loop.

Then, the receiver 300 confirms NRT_service_descriptor in the parsedeach service level descriptor, and determines whether a value of theconsumption_model field in NRT_service_descriptor is 0x04, i.e., a TDOconsumption model, in operation S8030. If the value is not 0x04, thereceiver 300 operates according to another NRT service consumptionmodel.

However, if the value is 0x04, the receiver 300 determines that an NRTservice designated as a TDO consumption model is transmitted. In thiscase, the receiver 300 determines whether a TDO automatic reception isset in operation S8040. If the automatic reception is not set, thereceiver 300 displays TDO service and a list of contents in the TDOservice, and displays a TDO reception selection screen in operationS8045. Then, the receiver 300 receives a TDO service selected by a userin operation S8047.

Moreover, when the automatic reception is set, the receiver 300 receivesa TDO without a user's selection in operation S8050. Here, the receiver300 may receive a TDO at a specific time regardless of a user'sselection. For example, the receiver 300 may automatically receive andstore a TDO in the background without a user's selection while notdisplaying to a user that the TDO is being received. Whether to executethe TDO is determined by a user's input, or may be received by thereceiver 300 before the trigger time of the TDO. Additionally, thereceiver 300 receives the TDO without a user's selection, so that it maysmoothly operate in linkage with real-time broadcast during theexecution of the TDO.

Then, the receiver 300 determines whether a trigger is received afterreceiving the TDO in operation S8060. The receiver 300 determineswhether a trigger corresponding to the TDO is received through thetrigger receiver 331. Also, when the trigger is received, the receiver300 extracts a trigger time and a trigger action from the triggerthrough the service manager 350, and applies the trigger action to theTDO in ready at the trigger time in operation S8070. For example, thetrigger target TDO may shift from one state of a non-ready state, areleased state, a ready state, an active state, and a suspended stateinto another state. Accordingly, the receiver 300 may perform a shiftoperation according to a TDO state on the basis of the trigger action atthe trigger time. As mentioned above, since the TDO is receivedautomatically without a user's selection, and the trigger action isperformed at the trigger time, the receiver 300 receives the TDO beforethe trigger time and prepares the TDO to be ready in the backgroundbefore the trigger time.

Additionally, the receiver 300 receives and manages an NRT service thata user selects through the service manager 350. However, in the case ofTDO service, since it operates in linkage with real-time broadcast andis triggered by a trigger, storing and managing the TDO service may beaccomplished according to the intentions of real-time broadcast serviceproviders.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in thecase of a TDO consumption model type in which TDO service istransmitted, the receiver 300 allocates a predetermined area of astorage unit as a TDO storage area, and then, receives TDO service,stores the received TDO service in the allocated area, and manages it.Furthermore, the TDO storage area is designated by the transmitter 200,and then, the TDO service is transmitted to the receiver 300. In thiscase, the receiver 300 may receive, store, and manage the TDO service inthe allocated area.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating a method of allocating and managingby the receiver 300 a TDO storage area according to a TDO consumptionmodel.

Referring to FIG. 55, first, the receiver 300 determines a consumptionmodel of NRT service transmitted after operations S8000 to S8020 of FIG.54 are performed. Then, the receiver 300 determines whether an NRTservice of a TDO consumption model type, for example, TDO service, istransmitted based on a consumption model field in operation S8110.

When the consumption model field indicates a TDO consumption model, thereceiver 300 extracts a storage_reservation field ofNRT_service_descriptor in operation S8310. The storage_reservation fieldmay be a value corresponding to a storage space essential for acorresponding TDO service. The transmitter 200 may designate a spacevalue for TDO storage area in the storage_reservation field andtransmits it.

Then, the receiver 300 allocates a storage area for TDO servicereception and operation on the basis on the storage_reservation fieldvalue in operation S8140. The receiver 300 allocates an area designatedin the storage_reservation field or a predetermined TDO servicereception area as a storage area for TDO service, and separates thestorage area from another area of a storage unit and manages it.Additionally, the receiver 300 maintains the storage space size of theallocated area continuously and uniformly. Accordingly, a broadcastservice provider provides extended NRT service such as a TDOcontinuously.

Then, the receiver 300 receives TDO service in an area allocated as aTDO service storage area in operation 8150 and stores and manages thereceived TDO service.

In such a way, the receiver 300 allocates a storage area for TDO serviceand manages it on the basis of the consumption model field and storagereservation field of NRT service. However, the above method is just oneembodiment and is not limited to a storage method according to eachvalue of a consumption model field and a storage reservation field.Accordingly, the receiver 300 determines whether to store TDO service onthe basis of a consumption model field value and a storage reservationfield value, and determine whether to receive TDO service on the basisof a current storage reservation field value and the size of a remainingspace of a storage unit. Furthermore, when receiving a plurality ofTDOs, the receiver 300 designates a predetermined area of a storage unitaccording to each TDO and manages it, or allocates a comprehensive areafor TDO service in a storage unit to receive a plurality of TDOs.

Moreover, a TDO may mean an NRT service providing a TDO, or each ofcontent items configuring TDO service. Moreover, each content item issignaled through an NRT-IT, and the receiver 300 receives data signaledthrough the NRT-IT and recognizes information on a TDO. However, NRT-ITdoes not include information for TDO, for example, a trigger time, anexecution termination time, an execution priority, and an additionaldata receiving path, besides information provided for general NRTservice. Accordingly, it is difficult for the receiver 300 to understandthe attribute of a TDO in detail and operates smoothly. Especially, whenthe receiver 300 manages a storage space, TDO services of a plurality ofTDOs provided, or additional data of TDO service, information on TDO isinsufficient.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a methodof including specific property information of a TDO in TDO metadata andan operation of the receiver 300 according thereto are suggested.

FIG. 56 is a view illustrating a TDO metadata descriptor according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 56, TDO metadata includes a descriptor_tag field, adescriptor_length field, a scheduled_activation_start_time field, ascheduled_activation_end_time field, a priority field, anactivation_repeat_flag field, and a repeat_interval field.

The descriptor_tag field may have a value to distinguish this descriptoras a TDO metadata descriptor.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end of aTDO metadata descriptor.

The scheduled_activation_start_time field may be a 32-bit unsignedinteger indicating the fastest scheduled activation start time obtainedby calculating GPS sec from the time 00:00:00 UTC on 6 Jan. 1980. Whenthe scheduled_activation_start_time field is 0, it indicates that anactivation start time of TDO is already passed.

The scheduled_activation_end_time field may be a 32-bit unsigned integerindicating the fastest scheduled activation end time obtained bycalculating GPS sec from the time 00:00:00 UTC on 6 Jan. 1980. When thescheduled_activation_end_time field is 0, it indicates that anactivation end time of TDO is not designated. Accordingly, when thescheduled_activation_end_time field is 0, the receiver 300 continuouslyprovides service after the scheduled_activation_start_time.

The scheduled_activation_start_time field and thescheduled_activation_start_time field may be used to allow the receiver300 to synchronize a TDO with real-time broadcast and operate it.Additionally, the receiver 300 may selectively download a TDO on thebasis of the scheduled_activation_start_time field and thescheduled_activation_start_time field and may determine the downloadorder of TDOs. Additionally, the receiver 300 may determine the deletionorder of TDOs on the basis of the scheduled_activation_start_time fieldand the scheduled_activation_start_time field. Especially, the receiver300 identifies a TDO having a scheduled_activation_start_time fieldvalue closest to the current time (i.e., a TDO to be activated first),and downloads and stores the identified TDO first. Additionally, thereceiver 300 may delete a TDO having a scheduled_activation_start_timefield value that is the latest from the current time if a storage spaceis insufficient.

Moreover, a priority field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer indicatingthe priority of a TDO service or a content item. The receiver 300determines that as a value of the priority field is higher or lower, ahigher priority is provided. Moreover, the receiver 300 may sequentiallyreceive or store a plurality of TDOs on the basis of a priority fieldallocated to each TDO. Moreover, the receiver 300 may execute at leastone of a plurality of TDOs on the basis of a priority field allocated toeach TDO.

Also, since a target TDO executed by a trigger at a trigger time may beone but a TDO executable at one time may be in plurality, a prioritydesignation for each TDO is necessary. Accordingly, when a TDO (serviceor a content item) is in plurality, the transmitter 200 designates eachpriority by using the above-mentioned priority field.

Moreover, the receiver 300 may sequentially download TDOs on the basisof the priority field. Moreover, the receiver 300 may display aplurality of TDOs executable at a specific time on the basis of apriority field. For example, although displaying a plurality of TDOsexecutable at a specific time, the receiver 300 positions and displays aTDO having a high priority on a top list. Accordingly, a user recognizespriority information through a displayed list, and efficient selectionof a TDO according to priority information becomes possible.

Moreover, the receiver 300 may automatically execute a TDO on the basisof such a priority field. For example, if there are a plurality of TDOsto be executed within a specific time range, the receiver 300 selects aTDO having a high or low priority field and automatically executes it onthe basis of a priority field corresponding to each TDO.

An activation_repeat_flag field may be a 1-bit Boolean flag indicatingwhether a repeat_interval field is included in this descriptor.

The repeat_interval field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to indicatethe repeat interval of an activation schedule time. The repeat_intervalfield may indicate the execution period of a TDO. Accordingly, thereceiver 300 may receive a TDO or manages a storage unit on the basis ofthe repeat_interval field. The repeat_interval field may mean theexecution period of a TDO according to each value as shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 VALUE MEANING 0 Reserved 1 Every day 2 Every week 4-6 times 3Every week 2-3 times 4 Every week 5 Biweekly 6 Every month 7 Once in twomonths 8 Once a quarter 9 Once in six months 10 Every year 11-255Reserved

In such a way, the transmitter 200 may transmit a TDO metadatadescriptor through an NRT service signaling channel or an internetnetwork. Additionally, the transmitter 200 inserts a TDO metadatadescriptor into a content_level_descriptor loop of NRT-IT to transmitadditional information on a corresponding TDO.

Moreover, the receiver 300 may receive TDO metadata through an NRTservice signaling channel or an internet network to obtain informationon a TDO. The receiver 300 receives NRT-IT to search for a content leveldescriptor loop and obtains TDO metadata. Furthermore, when TDO metadatais transmitted through an internet network, the receiver 300 accesses aFLUTE session for receiving a corresponding TDO service and receivesFDT, and also receives TDO metadata from an internet network through URLinformation of a content location field for each file.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of receiving by thereceiver 300 TDO metadata according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 57, the receiver 300 receives an SMT and an NRT-ITtransmitted through a service signaling channel in operation S8200.

According to an embodiment, the transmitter 200 includes a TDO metadatadescriptor in a content level descriptor loop and then, transmits it.Accordingly, the receiver 300 searches for the content level descriptorloop of the received NRT-IT in operation S8220 and then, determineswhether there is a TDO metadata descriptor in operation S8220. Thereceiver 300 determines whether the descriptor tag field value of eachdescriptor corresponds to TDO_metadata_descriptor, and thus, determineswhether there is a TDO metadata descriptor.

Then, if there is a TDO metadata descriptor, the receiver 300 extractsTDO metadata from a TDO metadata descriptor in operation S8230. Asmentioned above, the TDO metadata may include at least one of scheduledactivation start or end time information, priority information, relateddata reception information, and repeat interval information.Additionally, the related data reception information may includeadditional data on a corresponding TDO or reception path information ofadditional data.

Then, the receiver 300 obtains necessary information from the extractedTDO metadata and manages a TDO on the basis of the obtained informationin operation S8240. The receiver 300 manages a TDO by receiving,storing, or deleting the TDO according to a predetermined condition onthe basis of the TDO metadata. Moreover, the receiver 300 may receiverelated data that a service provider provides about a corresponding TDOon the basis of TDO metadata. For example, when a TDO is in execution,the receiver 300 extracts related data reception information from TDOmetadata, receives additional action information on the TDO in executionthrough a broadcast channel or an internet network on the basis of therelated data reception, and applies the received additional action tothe TDO in execution.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating a method of the receiver 300 tomanage a TDO depending on time information in TDO metadata according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 58, the receiver 300 determines whether a storagespace for TDO is insufficient in a storage unit in operation S8300. Asmentioned above, the storage space may be a predetermined area of astorage unit for storing TDOs. Additionally, the receiver 300 determinesa storage space necessary for TDO reception on the basis of an NRTservice descriptor before receiving a TDO, and determines whether astorage space is insufficient in comparison to the remaining space of acurrent storage unit.

Then, if it is determined that a storage space is insufficient, thereceiver 300 extracts time information from the TDO metadata on each TDOin operation S8310. Time information may include a scheduled activationstart time or end time field of a TDO metadata descriptor. Moreover, thereceiver 300 obtains TDO metadata on each TDO from a content leveldescriptor loop of NRT-IT as mentioned above, and extracts timeinformation from the obtained TDO metadata.

Then, the receiver 300 first deletes a TDO having the largest value of ascheduled activation start time field on the basis of a scheduledactivation start time for each TDO in operation S8320. As a scheduledactivation start time is greater, the current needs may be reduced.Therefore, the receiver 300 first deletes a TDO to be executed at thetime that is the farthest from the current time, so that storage spacemay be obtained.

Then, the receiver 300 first receives a TDO having the smallest value ofa scheduled activation start time field on the basis of a scheduledactivation start time for each TDO in operation S8330. As the scheduledactivation start time value of a TDO is smaller, since the TDO isexecuted soon, if a storage space is insufficient, the receiver 300first receives a TDO whose active start time reaches in the fastesttime, so that reception is completed within a trigger time.

In addition, time information in TDO metadata may include a time slotdescriptor for providing activation time information of a TDO inaddition to scheduled activation start and end time fields. The timeslot descriptor may include a slot start time, a slot length, and repeatinformation, by using a time at which a TDO is performed as one slot.Accordingly, the receiver 300 extracts a time slot at which a TDO isactivated, so as to predict a repeated execution and end time of theTDO.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating a method of the receiver 300 tomanage a TDO depending on time information and priority information inTDO metadata according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 59, first, the receiver 300 receives TDO metadata, anddetermines whether there are a plurality of TDOs executable at aspecific time in operation S8400. The receiver 300 extracts TDO metadatain a content descriptor loop of NRT-IT through a service signalingchannel as mentioned above, and then receives TDO metadata correspondingto each TDO. Then, the receiver 300 may determine whether there are aplurality of TDOs executable at the same time on the basis of thescheduled activation start time field of the extracted each TDOmetadata. When there are a plurality of TDOs having the same scheduledactivation start time field value or a plurality of TDOs whose scheduledactivation start time field value is within a predetermined time range,the receiver 300 determines that there are a plurality of TDOsexecutable at the same time.

Also, when it is determined that there are a plurality of TDOs, thereceiver 300 extracts a priority value for each TDO from the TDOmetadata in operation S8410. The priority value is extracted from apriority field in the TDO metadata descriptor. Additionally, thereceiver 300 matches a priority in the TDO metadata to each of aplurality of TDOs executable at the same time and then, stores them.

Then, the receiver 300 provides a list of a plurality of TDO executableat a specific time to a user on the basis of the extracted priority. Thereceiver 300 displays a list of a plurality of TDOs executable at aspecific time or after a predetermined time in addition to a priority toa user, so that this leads to a user's selection. Additionally, thereceiver 300 places a TDO having a high priority on the upper side of aTDO list and displays it so that priority information for each TDO maybe provided together. Accordingly, a user sets which TDO is selected andperformed at a specific time with reference to a TDO list, and selectswhich TDO is received and stored.

Then, when a TDO is selected by a user, the receiver 300 receives theselected TDO, and performs a trigger action on the selected TDO at aspecific time, for example, a trigger time. The receiver 300 may omit anoperation of receiving the selected TDO if the selected TDO is receivedand stored already. Moreover, the receiver 300 deletes the selected TDOfrom a storage unit, so that a storage space is obtained.

According to an embodiment, the receiver 300 receives and stores a TDOon the basis of priority information according to setting without auser's selection, and then performs a trigger action. Moreover, whenthere are a plurality of TDOs executable at the same time, the receiver300 receives a TDO having a high priority first and stores it, andperform a trigger action on a TDO having a high priority at acorresponding time.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the transmitter 200 maytransmit files configuring a content item of NRT service through aninternet network. In more detail, the transmitter 200 generates an FDTby including URL information of each file configuring a content item ina content location attribute, and transmits the generated FDT through aFLUTE session. Furthermore, the transmitter 200 may designate the URL ofcontent item files transmitted through a broadcast network and an IPnetwork by using an internet location descriptor. This internet locationdescriptor may be included in a content level descriptor loop of anNRT-IT. Accordingly, the transmitter 200 includes URL information oninternet where each file placed in an internet location descriptor andtransmits it.

One example of such an internet location descriptor is described withreference to FIG. 60.

FIG. 60 is a view illustrating a syntax of an internet locationdescriptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 60, the internet location descriptor includes adescriptor_tag field, a descriptor_length field, a URL_count field, aURL_length field, and a URL( ) field.

The descriptor_tag field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to distinguishthis descriptor as an internet location descriptor. For example, thisfield may have a 0xC9 value.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end ofan internet location descriptor.

The URL_count field may be a 5-bit unsigned integer to indicate thenumber of pairs of URL length fields and URL fields in an internetlocation descriptor. That is, the internet location descriptor includesa plurality of URL length fields whose number corresponds to a URL countfield and a plurality of URL fields whose number corresponds to a URLcount field.

The URL_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to indicate thelength of the URL( ) field immediately following this field.

The URL( ) field is a character string indicating URL. When the URL( )field indicates Relative URL or absolute tag URI, a corresponding URLmay be seen as a content transmitted only through FLUTE of NRT. In othercases, a corresponding URL may be seen as a content only transmittedthrough a broadcast network, a content transmitted through an IPnetwork, or a content transmitted through both a broadcast network andan IP network.

When the URLs of files configuring a content item are transmitted byusing an internet location descriptor, a URL corresponding to each fileis designated and needs to be included in an internet locationdescriptor. However, when the number of files is increased, the numberof URLs to be designated is increased, so that transmission efficiencymay be reduced. Moreover, the number of URLs is increased, theirmanagement becomes complex and difficult.

Accordingly, the transmitter 200 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention includes list information of URLs corresponding toeach file in a FLUTE file description table (FDT), and transmits the FDTthrough an internet network instead of a FLUTE session. The transmitter200 may transmit list information of URLs or an FDT by using theinternet location descriptor, and also may transmit list information ofURLs or an FDT by using the link descriptor.

Also, related information between each file and a content item may bedesignated by a content linkage field in an FDT. Additionally, when theURL of the FDT is transmitted through an internet location descriptor,since a list of files configuring a content item is included in the FDT,the receiver 300 may determine a relationship between a content item andeach file without a content linkage field. For example, the receiver 300parses a content level descriptor loop of a content item to be receivedon the basis of NRT-IT, extracts the URL of the FDT from an internetlocation descriptor in the content level descriptor loop, and receivesthe FDT through an internet network, so that it obtains a list of filesconfiguring the content item to be received.

The receiver 300 receives URL information of the FDT located through alink descriptor or an internet location descriptor, and receives the FDTon the basis of the received URL information through an internetnetwork. Then, the receiver 300 receives files configuring a contentitem on the basis of URL information of each file in the FDT. In such away, by transmitting the URL of FDT, it is not necessary to designate aURL to each of a plurality of files. As a result, transmissionefficiency may be increased.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when FDT is transmitted through an internet network according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 61, the receiver 300 first receives an SMT and anNRT-IT through the service manager 350 in operation S8500.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 selects NRT service ora content item to be received in operation S8510. The service manager350 of the receiver 300 selects NRT service to be received according toa predetermined condition. Additionally, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 selects NRT service to be received according to a user'sinput.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines whether toreceive each file configuring a content item of the selected NRT servicethrough internet in operation S8520. The service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 determines whether to receive each file through internet onthe basis of a connection state of the internet network. Additionally,the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 determines whether toreceive each file through internet according to a user's setting.

Then, when it is determined that each file is not received throughinternet, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 accesses a FLUTEsession through an NRT service signaling channel, and receives each fileconfiguring a content item of the selected NRT service in operationS8525. An operation of receiving NRT service through a FLUTE session isdescribed above.

However, when it is determined that each file is received throughinternet, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives FDTthrough internet in operation S8530. The service manager of the receiver300 receives URL information of FDT through a link descriptor or aninternet location descriptor, and receives the FDT located on aninternet network on the basis of the received URL information of theFDT.

Here, the FDT may include a list index of each file configuring acontent item in a FLUTE session. A MIME type designation is necessary inorder to additionally transmit the FDT through an internet network. TheMIME type means a specific format to indicate the type of a contenttransmitted through an internet network. Various file formats areregistered as MIME types and are used in internet protocols such as HTTPand SIP. The MIME type registration is managed by IANA. MIME may definea message format of a tree structure. According to an embodiment of thepresent invention, an MIME type corresponding to FDT may be defined as aformat such as application/nrt-flute-fdt+xml. Additionally, the receiver300 parses a URL having the MIME type and, based on this, receives FDT.

When receiving an FDT, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300obtains URL information of files configuring each content item from theFDT in operation S8540. Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver300 receives each file on the basis of the obtained URL informationthrough internet in operation S8550. The service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 connects the received files on the basis of a contentlinkage field of the FDT, so that it obtains a content item.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 provides NRT servicethrough the received content item in operation S8560.

As mentioned above, since the receiver 300 receives the FDT throughinternet, it is not necessary to receive URL information of each fileand it is possible to efficiently receive NRT service through aninternet network. Moreover, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, an arbitrary file including a file list (index) may betransmitted instead of FDT.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when the URL of an FDT is transmitted through a link descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter 200includes the link descriptor in one of EIT, VCT, or PMT and transmitsit, and the link descriptor includes URL information for obtaining FDT.

First, when the receiver 300 is turned on, a broadcast channel or abroadcast program is selected in operation S8600.

Then, the receiver 300 receives at least one of an EIT, a VCT, or a PMTthrough the service manager 350 or a PSIP/PSI handler in operationS8610, extracts a link descriptor in operation S8620, and obtains theURL information of an FDT from the link descriptor in operation S8630.

Here, the link descriptor may be included in the EIT and transmitted asshown in FIG. 46. In this case, the link descriptor includes informationlinked with a specific broadcast program. Additionally, a linkdescriptor may include URL information of an FDT in order to receive NRTservice linked with the selected broadcast program through internet.Accordingly, the receiver extracts a link descriptor from an eventdescriptor loop of an EIT corresponding to the selected broadcastprogram, and obtains URL information of an FDT included in the linkdescriptor. Especially, when the MIME type field in the link descriptorindicates the MIME type of an FDT, the receiver 300 determines thatinformation indicated by a link byte field is the URL of a FDT file.

Additionally, the link descriptor may be included in a VCT or a PMT andtransmitted. In more detail, the link descriptor is included in thedescriptor loop of a VCT or the program descriptor loop of a PMT andincludes information on a content linked with a specific channel orservice. The receiver 300 extracts the link descriptor in a VCT or aPMT, and obtains URL information of a FDT file in the link descriptorthrough a method that is identical to that of the case that a linkdescriptor is included in the EIT.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives an FDT fileby using the obtained URL information of the FDT through internet inoperation S8640.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 obtains URLinformation of each file included in the FDT in operation S8650. The URLinformation of each file included in the FDT may include positioninformation on internet of files configuring a content item of NRTservice.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives designatedfiles according to the obtained URL information through internet inoperation S8660 and stores the received files as a content item inoperation S8670. The service manager 350 of the receiver 300 may storeeach file as a content item of NRT service on the basis of the contentlinkage field of the FDT. Additionally, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 provides to a user NRT service on the basis of the storedcontent item.

Through such a process, the receiver 300 may receive FDT including afile list configuring a content item of NRT service through an internetnetwork. Moreover, since each file is received based on an FDT throughinternet, efficient transmission is possible.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the receiver 300when the URL of FDT is transmitted through NRT-IT according to anembodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter 200includes the internet location descriptor in a content descriptor loopof an NRT-IT and transmits it, and the internet location descriptorincludes URL information for obtaining FDT.

First, the receiver 300 receives the NRT-IT through the service manager350 in operation S8700.

Then, the receiver 300 extracts an internet location descriptor from acontent descriptor loop content_descriptor( ) of the NRT-IT through theservice manager 350 in operation S8610, obtains URL information of anFDT from the internet location descriptor in operation S8630, receivesthe FDT by using the URL information of the FDT through an internetnetwork in operation S8740, and obtains URL information of a fileconfiguring each content item from the FDT in operation S8750.

Here, the receiver 300 receives URL information of FDT through aninternet location descriptor, and also receives FDT in access to a FLUTEsession through an SMT and an NRT-IT. Additionally, the URL of each filein an FDT may indicate the address of an internet network, and may alsoindicate a file position in a FLUTE session. Accordingly, the receiver300 determines the URL format of each file from the FDT, and selectivelyreceives each file through one of a FLUTE session and an internetnetwork according to the determined format.

Additionally, the receiver 300 receives an FDT through an internetnetwork, and receives files configuring a content item in access to aFLUTE session on the basis of the received FDT.

Moreover, the transmitter 200 designates a transmission preferred pathwhen each file is transmittable through both a FLUTE session and aninternet network. The transmission priority path may be designated as anattribute of File type: complex type by using xml schema. For example,it may be designated as <xs:attribute name=“Internet_preferred”type=“s:boolean” use=“optional” default=“false”/>. Here,internet_preferred means preferred transmission through an internetnetwork, and when a type value is true, it means that preferredtransmission through an internet network is performed. Additionallydefault is defined as false and this indicates that preferredtransmission through a FLUTE session is performed by default.Accordingly, the receiver 300 confirms the attribute of each file typeto selectively receive each file through one of a FLUTE session and aninternet network.

Then, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 receives designatedfiles according to the obtained URL information of the files through aFLUTE session or an internet network in operation S8760 and stores thereceived files as a content item in operation S8670.

The service manager 350 of the receiver 300 may store each file as acontent item of NRT service on the basis of the content linkage field ofthe FDT as mentioned above. Additionally, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 provides to a user NRT service on the basis of the storedcontent item.

Furthermore, NRT service may include the above-mentioned TDO and an NRTservice declarative object (NDO). The receiver 300 may receive a TDO oran NDO to provide NRT service. Moreover, NRT service may include atleast one content item, and the receiver 300 may receive at least onecontent item to provide NRT service. In providing NRT service, thereceiver 300 extracts the above-mentioned consumption model field froman NRT service descriptor, and determines a consumption model of NRTservice, so that service is provided through different methods accordingto a consumption model.

A service provider determines a consumption model corresponding to NRTservice and then, allocates a consumption model field valuecorresponding thereto to NRT service and transmits it. A consumptionmodel field may be included in an NRT service descriptor as shown inFIG. 52, and the receiver 300 may operate according to the extractedconsumption model field. Although such a consumption model field valueand an operation of the receiver 300 are shown in FIG. 53, a moredetailed operation will be described below.

A consumption model of NRT service may be Browse and Download. In thiscase, NRT service may include a selectable content for later download.Additionally, a user interface of NRT service provided from the receiver300 may indicate selectable content. Also, a user may move betweenalready-downloaded content items through a user interface of NRT serviceand may select a view command.

In the case of a browser and download consumption model, NRT service mayinclude a plurality of content items. The receiver 300 may download atleast one content item that a user selects to download. Here, a contentitem is downloaded in the background. Additionally, the receiver 300monitors a content item downloaded for update in the background. Thereceiver 300 downloads a updated content item if update is confirmedbased on a result of monitoring. Additionally, the receiver 300 may notupdate downloaded content items according to a setting.

Additionally, when at least one content that a user select is downloadedcompletely, the receiver 300 may launch or present it according to auser's selection. Then, the launched or presented at least one contentitem may be suspended or paused according to a user's instruction.Additionally, the receiver 300 may resume to launch or present thesuspended or paused at least one content according to a user'sinstruction. In addition, when the launched or presented at least onecontent item is completed or a user instructs it to be terminated or auser selects to present another content item of browser and downloadservice, the receiver 300 may terminate the launched or presented atleast one content item. The receiver 300 may delete one content itemwhen a user instructs to delete it.

Accordingly, a user may launch or present a content item of a browserand download consumption model, or may suspend or pause the launching orpresenting, or after a user exit the NRT service and comes back again,may resume the launching or presenting again.

Moreover, a consumption model of NRT service may be Push. In this case,NRT service may include a request based content. For example, thereceiver 300 may launch or present a content item included in NRTservice according to a request of a user subscribed to an NRT service ofa push consumption model. The receiver 300 receives from a user an inputon whether an NRT service of a received push model or a content relatingthereto is automatically updated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the receiver 300displays topics that a user or subscriber can select in correspondenceto content items included in an NRT service of a push consumption model,receives a content item corresponding to the selected topic, andautomatically performs updating. Accordingly, a user is allowed toselect a content item to be updated automatically. The receiver 300 mayprovide an updated content item by using a predetermined area of NRTservice displayed, and may continuously perform updating. If a userselects a content item for automatic update, the receiver 300 stores areceived push model NRT service or a content relating thereto in acache, and automatically updates files configuring the content to a newversion. The receiver 300 may pre-load content and then display it whenreturning to a push model NRT service that a user requests.Additionally, in the case of a push consumption model, download, launch,suspend, resume, and shutdown are performed identical to those of thebrowser and download service.

In the case of a push consumption model, NRT service may include onecontent item. The receiver 300 may download one content item in a pushconsumption model in the background. Then, the receiver 300 confirmsupdate of the downloaded content item in the background. Additionally,the receiver 300 may launch the downloaded content item according to auser's NRT service select command. The receiver 300 may terminate thelaunched content item when a user makes an input for exiting NRTservice. The receiver 300 may perform the automatic update when a usersubscribes to a content item receiving service of a push consumptionmodel. The receiver 300 determines whether to provide an automaticupdate option on the basis of an auto-update field in an NRT servicedescriptor in an SMT. Accordingly, the receiver 300 provides automaticupdate according to a user's selection on an automatic update optionprovided based on an NRT service descriptor and performs update in thebackground. When the automatic update option is off, for example, when auser closes the content item receiving service of the push consumptionmodel, the receiver 300 may delete the downloaded content item.

Moreover, a consumption model of NRT service may be Portal. In thiscase, NRT service may include a service similar to accessing a webbrowser. Accordingly, a FLUTE session linked with an NRT service of aportal consumption model may include files for text or graphicalcomponents to configure a web page. Additionally, files providing portalNRT service are updated within near-real-time and then transmitted.Accordingly, the receiver 300 may generate a screen of a portalconsumption model NRT service to be displayed while a viewer waits.

In the case of a portal consumption model, NRT service may include onecontent item. When a user selects a portable consumption model NRTservice, the receiver 300 may download one content item therein.Additionally, the receiver 300 may launch a content item when an entryfile is downloaded among files of the content item that is beingdownloaded. The receiver 300 may terminate and delete the launchedcontent item when a user makes an input for exiting NRT service.Additionally, in the case of a portal consumption model, download,launch, suspend, resume, and shutdown are performed identical to thoseof the browser and download service.

In the case of the above consumption models, the receiver 300 providesNRT service on the basis of one content item. However, with one contentitem, it is difficult to generate a user interface linked with real-timebroadcast or provide a complex and diverse NRT service.

Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an NRTservice provider may provide a plurality of content items through thetransmitter 300. Additionally, an NRT service provider may set onecontent item to control an operation of another content item. Thereceiver 300 receives this, and identifies a consumption model providinga plurality of content items to provide complex and various NRT servicesto a user. By using such a consumption model, an NRT service providermay generate a user interface that is interactive with NRT service (NDOor TDO) and transmit it. The receiver 300 generates a look and feel userinterface interactive with a user on the basis of a plurality of contentitems in NRT service and provides it to a user.

Such a consumption model of NRT service may be the above-mentioned TDOconsumption model. In this case, NRT service transmitted may include theabove-mentioned TDO.

In the case of a TDO consumption model, NRT service may include aplurality of content items. The receiver 300 may download each contentitem founded in the currently selected NRT service. The receiver 300 mayupdate each content item whose updated version is founded in thecurrently selected NRT service. Each content item is launched orterminated by a trigger.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a consumptionmodel of NRT service may be a scripted consumption model. In Such aninteractive content item may be referred to as an entry content itemthat controls content items but is not limited the name of the contentitem. For example, an interactive content item may be a master contentitem of other content items. The receiver 300 first receives an entrycontent item or master content item and then launches it. The entrycontent item may include a function for managing the access and downloadof NRT service content items. Additionally, the entry content item mayinclude a function for displaying usable contents. The receiver 300 maydisplay a user interface for allowing a user to select a usable contentand reserve download, according to the launch of an entry content item.A user interface displayed may include a menu for playingpreviously-downloaded contents.

An NRT service object in an NRT service of a scripted consumption modelis automatically launched when a user accesses the scripted consumptionmodel NRT service. For example, a scripted consumption model NRT serviceobject may be triggered by a user's access and then, launched.

The scripted consumption model NRT service may include a plurality ofcontent items. One of the plurality of content items may include anentry content item having a user input available and interactiveinterface. The transmitter 300 inserts such a user interactive interfaceinto an entry content item and transmits it, and the receiver 300receives and launches an entry content item first. Then, the receiver300 may control the download, update, or launch of another content itemby launching the entry content item. Accordingly, an entry content itemmay include at least one file for downloading, updating, or launchingother content items.

Also, an NDO including an entry content item may be launched when a userselects an NRT service including an NDO. Additionally, the launched NDOmay be terminated when a NRT service exiting command of a user isinputted. An NRT service object including an entry content item isdownloaded in advance and updated. Additionally, after the downloadedNRT service object is launched and terminated, the receiver 300 maymaintain its storage. Through this, each time NRT service is selected, auser does not need to wait the receivers to download the NRT service,and is allowed to receive an NRT service updated by an entry contentitem, so that user's convenience may be enhanced.

According to an embodiment, in the case of a scripted consumption model,the receiver 300 may operate similar to a push consumption model. An NRTservice designated as a scripted consumption model may include aplurality of content items corresponding to a push consumption model ora portal consumption model. Accordingly, a scripted consumption modelmay mean a consumption model extending a push consumption model.Accordingly, a scripted consumption model may mean a consumption modelextending a portal consumption model. Accordingly, a service providermay generate and transmit an NRT object by designating a push scriptedconsumption model or a portal scripted consumption model.

An NRT service object or NRT service of a scripted consumption model mayinclude the above-mentioned plurality of content items and one of theplurality of content items is an entry content item. An entry contentitem is a content item that is launched first of all to provide by thereceiver 300 NRT service according to an NRT service object. Then, filesconfiguring each content item may include an entry file. The entry fileis a file that is launched first of all when a content item is launched.Accordingly, a service provider generates an NRT service object throughthe transmitter 200, designates an entry content item to be launchedfirst, and includes information on an entry content item in an NRTservice object or transmits it through service signaling data. Then, aservice provider may designate an entry file to be launched first of allamong files configuring each content item through transmitter 200, andmay transmit information on an entry file through service signaling dataor a FLUTE session.

Moreover, an NRT service of a consumption model, push consumption model,or portal consumption model of the browser and download consumptionmodel may include a plurality of content items.

For example, an NRT service of a browser and download consumption modelmay include a plurality of content items. The plurality of content itemsmay include a set of different information, and each may include an NRTservice object with a unique look and feel interface to indicate a setof information. Each object may include the above-mentioned entry fileby each content item. A user may select which content item is to bedownloaded through the receiver 300, and also may select a content itemfor presentation after a predetermined time. When a content item forpresentation is selected, the receiver 300 launches an object includinga look and feel interface in the content item, outputs presentation, andmanages the outputted presentation.

Additionally, an NRT service of a push consumption model may include anNRT service object including an entry file. The receiver 300continuously updates files used in an NRT service object. When a userselects automatic update of service, the receiver 300 may maintain theupdate of the files. Additionally, the receiver 300 may update the filesby an operation of an NRT service object itself. When a user selects NRTservice, the receiver 300 may launch an NRT object to manage thepresentation of the selected NRT service data.

Additionally, an NRT service of a portal consumption model may includean NRT service object including an entry file. When a user selects anNRT service of a portal consumption model, the receiver 300 obtains andlaunches an NRT service object including an entry file. The NRT serviceobject including an entry file may manage presentation for other files.In this case, an entry file is a simple HTML page, and each time serviceis provided, an obtaining process is necessary, so that a smoothoperation may be guaranteed only when an acquisition time is very short.Accordingly, it is difficult for the receiver 300 to provide complex andvarious look and feel interactive interfaces by using only an entryfile. Therefore, according to an embodiment, when an entry content itemis designated and transmitted, the receiver 300 may store the entrycontent item in a predetermined storage space after an initialacquisition time of the entry content item. Since the receiver 300 doesnot require a following acquisition time for presentation, thepresentation is possible using an interactive interface, and a smoothand natural operation is guaranteed. Accordingly, a service providergenerates and transmits a look and feel interactive interface throughthe transmitter 200, and the receiver 300 provides a list of NRT serviceto a user through the interactive interface generated by the serviceprovider without its own interface and launches a selected NRT service.

FIG. 64 is a conceptual view illustrating an NRT service including anentry content item.

Referring to FIG. 64, the NRT service may include a plurality of contentitems such as a content item 0, a content item 1, and a content item 3.Also, a service provider may designate each entry content item or entryfile through the transmitter 200. As shown in FIG. 64, an entry contentitem is designated as the content item 0, and the entry file isdesignated as a file 0 and a file 5.

When an NRT service of FIG. 64 is received and a user selects it, thereceiver 300 launches the content item 0, i.e., an entry content itemfirst of all. When launching the content item 0, the receiver 300 mayexecute the file 0, i.e., an entry file, first of all. Here, the entrycontent item may include a function for managing other content items.Accordingly, the receiver 300 may display the content item 1 and thecontent item 3 by an operation of the content item 0, and the contentitem 0 may launch or terminates at least one of the content item 1 andthe content item 3 according to a user's selection. Moreover, when thecontent item 1 is launched, the file 5, i.e., an entry file, may belaunched first.

FIGS. 65 and 66 are views illustrating an NRT-IT to transmit informationon an entry content item.

The NRT-IT or NCT shown in FIGS. 65 and 66 is included in servicesignaling data, and the transmitter 200 includes information on an entrycontent item in service signaling data and transmits it. For example,the transmitter 200 may include a field, which indicates whether aspecific content item is an entry content item, in the NRT-IT and then,may transmit it. Accordingly, the receiver 300 receives the servicesignaling data, extracts the NRT-IT, parses the field that indicateswhether a specific content item is an entry content item, determineswhich content item is an entry content, and launches it first of all. Asmentioned above, the NRT-IT may include individual information on aplurality of content items. Information of each of the plurality ofcontent items may be included in a content item loop starting as for(j=0; j<num_content_items_in_section; j++). Then, each content item maycorrespond to each content item loop identified by a content_linkagefield. Accordingly, the receiver 200 parses a content item loop toobtain a no_entry_flag field corresponding to each content item. Sincedescriptions for other fields in FIGS. 65 and 66 are identical orsimilar to those of FIG. 16, their repeated descriptions are omitted.

A no_entry_flag field may be a 1-bit number indicating an entry contentitem. If this field is 0, a content item corresponding to a content itemloop that this field belongs may be an entry content item of a serviceidentified by service_id. If this field is 1, a content itemcorresponding to a content item loop that this field belongs may not bean entry content item of the above-mentioned service.

The transmitter 200 designates a content item to be launched first as anentry content item by using the no_entry_flag field and transmits it.The receiver 300 determines whether the no_entry_flag field is 0 or 1,and thus obtains information on a content item to be launched first.

FIG. 67 is a view illustrating an operation method of the receiver 300when an entry content item is transmitted according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 67, the receiver 300 first receives an SMT and anNRT-IT from service signaling data in operation S8800, parses a servicelevel descriptor loop from the SMT, and parsesNRT_service_info_descriptor in the service level descriptor loop inoperation S8810. The receiver 300 may receive an SMT through a servicesignaling channel by using the service manager 350, and may parseservice level descriptors including an NRT service informationdescriptor in a service level descriptor loop in each NRT service loop.

Also, the receiver 300 obtains information on an NRT service transmittedbased on the parsed NRT service information descriptor, for example, atleast one of an application type, a service category, service capacity,and video or audio codec information, to generate service guide anddisplays it in operation S8820. The receiver 300 generates and displaysservice guide through the service manager 350.

For example, the service manager 350 calculates a capacity of NRTservice on the basis of a storage_requirement field in the NRT serviceinformation descriptor and displays it on the service guide. Moreover,the service manager 350 determines video or audio codec of NRT serviceon the basis of an audio_codec_type or video_codec_type field in the NRTservice information descriptor, and displays information therefor on theservice guide.

Then, the receiver 300 determines whether service reception on NRTservice is selected in operation S8830. The service reception selectionmay be made by a user viewing the service guide. The service manager 350determines which one of NRT service displayed on the service guide isselected by a user. The receiver 300 may maintain the service guidedisplay when NRT service is not selected.

Moreover, when service reception on NRT service is selected, thereceiver 300 obtains reception information of content items that aservice to be received includes from an NRT-IT in operation S8840. Theservice manager 350 obtains the service identifier of the selected NRTservice from an SMT. Then, the service manager 350 obtains informationon content items to receive the selected NRT service by comparing theservice identifier with the NRT-IT.

For example, the service manager 350 extracts service_id correspondingto the NRT service to be received from an SMT. Then, the service manager350 determines whether the service_id field of the NRT-IT corresponds toan NRT service to be received, and when they are matched, extracts acontent_linkage field from a content item loop to obtain receptioninformation of content items. Additionally, according to an embodiment,the service manager 350 obtains the no_entry_flag field from eachcontent item loop, and determines in advance whether a content itemcorresponding to each content item loop is an entry content item beforereception.

Then, the receiver 300 receives content items of an NRT servicetransmitted from the transmitter 200 on the basis of the obtainedcontent item reception information in operation S8850. The servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 may receive files configuring contentitems in access to a FLUTE session on the basis of the obtainedservice_id field and content_linkage field, as mentioned above.

Then, the receiver 300 determines whether there is a launch command onthe received NRT service in operation S8860. The service manager 350 ofthe receiver 300 determines whether there is a user's launch commandwhen the content item of NRT service is received completely.Additionally, the service manager 350 may automatically launch thereceived NRT service without a user's launch command.

When the NRT service is launched, the receiver 300 first determineswhether a consumption model is scripted in operation S8870. The servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 parses a service level descriptor loopfrom SMT, extracts NRT_service_descriptor from the service leveldescriptor loop, and determines whether the NRT service is a scriptedconsumption model on the basis of a value of the consumption_model fieldin NRT_service_descriptor. A value of a consumption model field for ascripted consumption model may be pre-designated. When its value is nota scripted consumption model, the receiver 300 operates in a differentway according to another consumption model to provide service inoperation S8890.

However, when the consumption model field corresponds to a valuedesignated as a scripted consumption model, the receiver searches for anentry content item among the received content items in operation S8875.The receiver 300 searches for files in the entry content item amongcontent items to execute it first. For this, the receiver 300 may searchfor an entry content item by using the no_entry_flag field of theNRT-IT. Additionally, the receiver 300 first receives and stores anentry content item in order for fast search and launch. For example,when content items configuring the selected NRT service are not allreceived, the receiver 300 receives, searches for, and launches an entrycontent item in advance, so that the NRT service may be partiallyprovided.

Then, when the entry content item is searched, the receiver 300 launchesan entry file first among files in the entry content item in operationS8880. When there is no entry file, the receiver 300 may execute a fileaccording to a file order or predetermined order.

Then, the receiver 300 operates by the executed file, and accordingly,provides NRT service to a user in operation S8885. The receiver 300provides NRT service by sing an interactive interface in an entrycontent item. Additionally, the receiver 300 may launch or manageanother content item according to a user input for an interactiveinterface in an entry content item.

In such a way, the receiver 300 launches an entry content item first toprovide an interactive interface to a user. Additionally, the receiver300 may manage content items of the selected NRT service through aninteractive interface launched in an entry content item. The interactiveinterface may include a look and feel interface, and may be configuredbased on a graphic user interface for user's convenience. Moreover, theinteractive interface may include a management menu such as launch, shutdown, storage, or deletion of NRT service. For this, the interactiveinterface may include an icon image or video corresponding to eachmanagement menu. A user may conveniently manage another NRT service orother content items through an interface in an entry content item.

In such a way, the transmitter 200 designates a consumption modecorresponding to NRT service or an NRT service object to a consumptionmodel or one of the other consumption models, allocates a valuecorresponding to the designated consumption model to a consumption modelfield in an NRT service descriptor of an NRT service information table,and transmits the NRT service information table through a servicesignaling channel.

However, a recognizable consumption model field value may be limitedaccording to the type or production time of the receiver 300. Forexample, the receiver 300 may operate by recognizing one of a push orportal consumption model value. In this case, when the transmitter 200designates NRT service as a scripted consumption model and transmits it,the receiver 300 determines that a consumption model value is notdesignated, so that normal NRT service may not be provided.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, thetransmitter 200 generates a plurality of NRT service objects incorrespondence to the same NRT service, and allocates differentconsumption model field values to the generated NRT service objects. Thetransmitter 200 may include allocation information of the consumptionmodel field values in the above-mentioned NRT service table and then,may transmit it.

FIG. 68 is a conceptual view of a plurality of NRT service objectstransmitted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 68, an NRT service transmitted one virtual channel mayinclude an NRT service object A and an NRT service object B. Also, A andB may provide the same NRT service. However, the NRT service object Amay be designated as a browser and download consumption model and theNRT service object B may be designated as a scripted consumption model.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a content item forproviding the same NRT service may be the content item 1 to the contentitem 5 as shown in FIG. 68. Accordingly, the NRT service object A mayinclude the content item 1 to the content item 5 provided by the browserand down consumption model. Also, the NRT service object B may includethe content item 6, i.e., the entry content item of the scriptedconsumption model. The content item 6 may include the above-mentionedinteractive interface controlling the content item 1 to the content item5.

In this way, when transmitting a specific NRT service including thecontent item 1 to the content item 5 as a browser and downloadconsumption model, the transmitter 200 includes the content item 1 tothe content item 5 in the NRT service A and transmits it. Whentransmitting them as a scripted consumption model, the transmitter 200includes the content item 6, which is an entry content item to controlthe content item 1 to the content item 5, in the NRT service B andtransmits it. The NRT service B includes only an entry content item, andthe content item provides an interface by using content items includedin the NRT service B, so that redundant transmission of a content itemmay be prevented and the waste of a bandwidth may be reduced.

Here, the entry content item may refer to an NRT-IT or an SMT in orderto launch content items included in another NRT service. The NRT-IT orSMT may include relationship information between NRT services andinformation on content items according thereto. For example, the NRT-ITmay include relationship information or reference information that theNRT service A and the NRT service B provide services by using the samecontent item.

According to an embodiment, the NRT service A and the NRT service Bprovide service by using the same content item, but the NRT service Aand the NRT service B may include different NRT service objects orcontent items.

FIG. 69 is a view illustrating a syntax of an NRT service descriptorincluded in the SMT according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above-mentioned relationship information may be included in an NRTservice descriptor in a service descriptor loop of the SMT. According toan embodiment of the present invention, service is provided using thesame content item but NRT services having different consumption modelfield values may be referred to as the same service or equivalentservice. The relationship information on the equivalent services, asshown in FIG. 69, may include an equivalent_service_not_present field, anum_equivalent_services field, and an equivalent_service_id field.

The equivalent_service_not_present field may be a 1-bit flag to indicatewhether there is equivalent service among transmitted NRT services. Ifthis field is 0, it means that there is equivalent service.

The num_equivalent_services field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer toindicate the number if there is equivalent service.

The equivalent_service_id field may be an 16-bit unsigned integer toindicate a service identifier corresponding to equivalent service. Here,the equivalent_service_id field may include on a service identifier whenequivalent service is transmitted through the same broadcast channel.However, when the same service is transmitted through different virtualchannels, the equivalent_service_id field may include a serviceidentifier and a broadcast identifier. Moreover, an NRT servicedescriptor may further include an MH broadcast identifier fieldcorresponding to a mobile broadcast identifier.

Since descriptions for other fields of an NRT service descriptor areidentical to those of FIG. 52, repeated descriptions are omitted.

FIGS. 70 and 71 are views illustrating a syntax of another NRT-ITaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. Sincedescriptions for other fields of the NRT-IT of FIGS. 70 and 71 areidentical to the above, repeated descriptions are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 70 and 71, the NRT-IT may further include anavailable_on_current_service field. When equivalent service istransmitted, this field indicates whether there is a content itemtransmitted in another NRT service. Additionally, even when there is noequivalent service, this field indicates whether a content item linkedwith a currently launched NRT service is transmitted through another NRTservice in order for the receiver 300 to receive or launch a contentitem of another NRT service through an entry content item.

The available_on_current_service field may be a 1-bit number to indicatewhether a currently transmitted NRT service (NRT service correspondingto a service identifier field of NRT-IT) includes a content item thatthis field belongs. If a value of this field is 1, the content item isincluded in the currently transmitted NRT service and transmitted, andif a value of this field is 0, the content item is included in anotherNRT service and transmitted.

The available_on_current_service field may be used for the receiver 300to determine whether there is a content item transmitted in another NRTservice linked with the currently transmitted NRT service. For example,when NRT service is selected and an entry content item is launched inthe receiver 300, an entry content item determines whether there is acontent item transmitted in another NRT service on the basis of theavailable_on_current_service field in order to provide a content item inanother NRT service, and receives or launches a content item transmittedin another NRT service. The transmitter 200 may include information on acontent item transmitted through another NRT service in NRT-IT and then,may transmit it. For example, the transmitter 200 may includeinformation on a content item transmitted through another NRT service ina specific descriptor of NRT-IT and then, may transmit it.

FIG. 72 is a view illustrating a syntax of Other_NRT_location_descriptoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 72, an other NRT location descriptor includes adescriptor_tag field, a descriptor_length field, anum_other_NRT_locations field, and an other_service_id field.

The descriptor_tag may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to distinguish thisdescriptor as a link descriptor. For example, this field may have a 0xe8value.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end of alink descriptor.

The num_other_NRT_locations field may be a 6-bit unsigned integer toindicate the number of other_service_id.

The other_service_id field may be an 16-bit unsigned integer to indicatea service identifier of another NRT services in which a content item istransmitted.

Such an other NRT service location descriptor may be one of contentlevel descriptors in a content level descriptor loop (a loop startingwith for (i=0; j<num_content_descriptors; i++)) of the NRT-IT of FIGS.70 and 71. Accordingly, the NRT service location descriptor is includedin the NRT-IT and then, transmitted.

The receiver 300 determines whether a content item is transmittedthrough another NRT services on the basis of the NRT-IT, and obtains theidentifier of another NRT services in which a content item istransmitted on the basis of an NRT service location descriptor.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving broadcastservice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 73, the receiver 300 receives an SMT and an NRT-ITfrom the service signaling data in operation S8900, parses a servicelevel descriptor loop from the SMT and parsesNRT_service_info_descriptor in the service level descriptor loop inoperation S8910, generates service guide on the basis of the parsed NRTservice info descriptor and displays it in operation S8920, anddetermines whether service reception for NRT service is selected inoperation S8930. The above operations may be performed by the servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300.

Moreover, when service reception on NRT service is selected, thereceiver 300 obtains reception information of content items that aservice to be received includes from the NRT-IT in operation S8940. Thereception information on content items may include content_linkage of acontent item and service_id of NRT service that each content itembelongs.

Then, the receiver 300 first determines whether a content item isprovided through NRT service by using the reception information inoperation S8950. Here, the reception information of a content item mayinclude relationship information indicating whether a content item istransmitted through a currently selected service or whether a contentitem is transmitted through another NRT services. For example, thereception information may include the available_on_current_servicefield. Additionally, when a content item is transmitted through anotherNRT service, the reception information of the content item may includethe identifier of the other NRT service and the identifier of thecontent item in order to receive the content item. Accordingly, thereceiver 300 determines whether a content item is provided throughanother NRT service by using the relationship information.

Additionally, the relationship information may includeother_NRT_location_descriptor, and the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 determines whether a content item of NRT service that acurrent user selects to receive is transmitted through a selectedservice or another NRT service by using the relationship information,and identifies an object corresponding to the other NRT service toreceive a content item therein.

If it is determined that the content item is not transmitted throughanother NRT service, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300accesses a FLUTE session according to the obtained content itemreception information, and receives files configuring each content itemthrough the above method.

Moreover, if it is determined that the content item is transmitted, theservice manager 350 of the receiver 300 obtains the service identifierfor another NRT service from the reception information in operationS8960 and, by receiving SMT and NRT-IT corresponding thereto, obtainscontent item reception information in another NRT service in operationS8970. Then, the service manager 350 may receive files configuring acontent item in access to a FLUTE session on the basis of the contentitem reception information.

Here, content items in another NRT service may be launched by an entrycontent item of the reception selected NRT service. The service manager350 of the receiver 300 identifies the entry content item of thereception selected NRT service, receives and launches the entry contentitem first, and displays an interactive interface in the entry contentitem. Additionally, the receiver 300 may receive or launch a contentitem of another NRT service in correspondence to a user input for thedisplayed interface.

Additionally, as mentioned above, a content item of the same NRT servicemay be launched or received by an entry content item. When each contentitem is received or launched, the service manager 350 of the receiver300 first receives and launches an entry file in files configuring eachcontent item, as mentioned above. The service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 may receive a list of files from a FLUTE session throughFDT before receiving a file of a content item, and identifies an entryfile first on the basis of the FDT.

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Moreover, the receiver 300 may provide Electronic Program Guide (EPG)including guide information on broadcast service by using NRT service.Moreover, the receiver 300 may provide EPG on the basis of an Eventinformation table (EIT) of a PSIP table like an existing receiver, andmay additionally provide EPG provided through NRT service, if necessary.When EPG is provided using NRT service, the receiver 300 receivesimages, videos, or executable contents in advance through a servicesignaling channel or an internet network, and provides the received EPGservice according to a user's request.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter 200allocates an additional consumption model corresponding to EPG in orderto transmit such an extended EPG through NRT service, and the receiver300 provides EPG service by performing a predetermined operation when itis determined as EPG according to a consumption model.

FIG. 74 is a view illustrating a meaning according to each value of aconsumption_model field in an NRT service descriptor when an EPGconsumption model is allocated according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

As described with reference to FIG. 53, the consumption_model field isincluded in NRT_service_descriptor and is a field indicating whichmethod for consumption_model NRT service that NRT_service_descriptorindicates uses. According to an embodiment, the consumption_model fieldmay indicate an EPG consumption model. A field value for EPG consumptionmodel may be 0x05.

NRT service allocated as an EPG consumption model may include at leastone content item. Such content items may include information on abroadcast service that is currently in service. For example, eachcontent item may include virtual channel service information accordingto a broadcast channel, TV event information, NRT service information,or information on content items of NRT service. Also, each informationis collected in an html page format and is provided in an EPG formatthrough the receiver 300.

Also, the receiver 300 connects broadcast information provided in EPGwith other NRT service objects or various multimedia contents. For this,the transmitter 200 inserts a link descriptor or an event descriptor forreceiving contents connected to broadcast information into SMT or NRT-ITand transmits it. Additionally, the transmitter 200 inserts a linkdescriptor or an event descriptor including the above broadcastinformation into VCT or EIT and transmits it.

Also, the transmitter 200 generates a linkage descriptor correspondingto an NRT service allocated as an EPG consumption model, and inserts itinto at least one of a VCT, an EIT, an SMT, and an NRT-IT to correspondto each service or channel, and transmits it. A transmission method ofthe transmitter 200 by using a linkage descriptor or a reception andservice providing method of the receiver 300 will be described later.

An NRT service designated as an EPG consumption model may includeextended EPG information for EPG on a program or service that thereceiver 300 provides. Since the extended EPG information may includerich and diverse multimedia data, the receiver 300 provides to a user aguide to a program or service through rich and various methods.

At least one content item included in an NRT service designated as anEPG consumption model may corresponding to one virtual channel, oneevent, or one NRT service, and may include related information on eachcorresponding virtual channel, event, or NRT service. The receiver 300may obtain such related information on the basis of a linkagedescriptor.

For example, when a user's additional information request on a specificvirtual channel, event, or NRT service displayed on a program or serviceguide is provided, its service may be provided by using a content itemof an EPG consumption model NRT service linked with the additionalinformation requested specific virtual channel, event, or NRT service. Acontent item of an NRT service of an EPG consumption model may includeat least one of preview, related HTML page collection, a movie posterimage.

Accordingly, when there is a user's additional request on a specificevent in the displayed service guide, the receiver 300 launches apreview content item of an NRT service of an EPG consumption modelcorresponding to an additional request target, and displays it to auser, so that extended EPG service is provided.

Moreover, an NRT service (or, an EPG NRT service) designated as an EPGconsumption model may be downloaded in the background in order toprevent a user from recognizing it. Also, content items of an EPG NRTservice downloaded through the background may be presented when there isa user's request on the displayed broadcast service guide in thereceiver 300.

Content items included in EPG NRT service may be downloaded and storedthrough an internet network like an NRT service of another consumptionmodel as mentioned above. Then, each content item may be downloaded inthe background through an internet network in order to prevent a userfrom recognizing it. Also, content items of an EPG NRT servicedownloaded in the background through an internet network may bepresented when there is a user's request on the displayed broadcastservice guide in the receiver 300, and each content item may bedownloaded in real-time through an internet network and played accordingto a user's request. In order to download and store various types ofcontent items included in an NRT service designated as an EPGconsumption model through the background, the receiver 300 is requiredto manage a limited storage space. For this, the receiver 300 allocatesand manages a predetermined storage space and the transmitter 200includes information on a required storage space in an NRT descriptorand transmits it.

Furthermore, when content items of EPG NRT service are downloaded andstored through the background, the service manager 350 of the receiver300 updates the received and stored EPG NRT service when it isdetermined that there is an updated version after periodicallyconfirming and monitoring the content items.

Then, among the downloaded and stored content items of EPG NRT service,a content item linked with a specific virtual channel, specific event,or NRT service whose additional information is requested by a user maybe launched or presented in a broadcast program or service guide thatthe receiver 300 provides. For this, the receiver 300 may display that acontent item of an EPG NRT service including additional informationcorresponding to each virtual channel, event, or NRT service is receivedor stored. The receiver 300 may display an indicator displaying theabove in a service guide.

Additionally, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 may controlnot to suspend the launched or presented content items of EPG NRTservice. However, when the launched or presented content items of EPGNRT service is a video clip, for example, the service manager 350 of thereceiver 300 performs a pause operation of video according to anoperation of a presentation engine for playing a content item to suspendthe video clip. Additionally, when controlling not to suspend thelaunched or presented content items of EPG NRT service, the servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 may not perform a resume operation onsuspending. Accordingly, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 maynot perform a suspend or resume operation on the launched or presentedcontent items of EPG NRT service.

Also, the receiver 300 or the service manager 350 of the receiver 300may close or exit the launched or presented content item of EPG NRTservice when a user selects a virtual channel, an event, or NRT servicedifferent from the above-mentioned specific virtual channel, event, orNRT service from a broadcast program or service guide. Also, even when auser selects a close command from a broadcast program or service guide,the receiver 300 may close or exit the launched or presented contentitem of EPG NRT service.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing EPG on thebasis of an NRT service of an EPG consumption model, as a method ofreceiving broadcast service according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 75, the receiver 300 first receives a VCT, an EIT, anSMT, and an NRT-IT in operation S9001 and parses a service leveldescriptor of the SMT in operation S9003.

The receiver 300 may receive an SMT through a service signaling channelby using the service manager 350, and may parse a plurality of loopscorresponding to each NRT service from the received SMT. The parsed eachloop may be referred to as a service level descriptor. Then, thereceiver 300 may parse service level descriptors including an NRTservice descriptor from each service level descriptor loop. An NRTservice descriptor may include detailed information on an NRT servicecorresponding thereto. Also, the detailed information may includerequirement information of a receiver to provide a corresponding NRTservice. Accordingly, the receiver 300 determines whether the receiver300 is capable of providing NRT service on the basis of an NRT servicedescriptor.

Accordingly, the service manager 350 of the receiver 300 parses a PSIPtable from a broadcast signal transmitted through a broadcast channeland parses a VCT and an EIT from the parsed PSIP table. The receiver mayparse a VCT and an EIT by using a PSIP handler.

Then, the receiver 300 analyzes the parsed service level descriptor inoperation S9005, confirms NRT_service_descriptor, and determines whethera value of the consumption_model field in NRT_service_descriptorindicates an EPG consumption model. The receiver 300 determines thisreferring to the table of FIG. 74. Then, if the value does not indicatean EPG consumption model, the receiver 300 performs an operationaccording to the above-mentioned another NRT service consumption model.

However, if the value indicates an EPG consumption model, the receiver300 determines that an NRT service designated as the EPG consumptionmodel is transmitted. In this case, the receiver 300 obtains receptioninformation of an NRT service of the EPG consumption model in operationS9007.

The reception information of an NRT service of an EPG consumption modelmay include the service id of the NRT service and the content linkage ofcontent items. As mentioned above, the service id may be included in theSMT and the linkage information between content items may be included inthe NRT-IT. Accordingly, the receiver 300 obtains NRT service receptioninformation of an EPG consumption model on the basis of the SMT and theNRT-IT.

Then, the receiver 300 accesses a FLUTE session on the basis of theobtained reception information and receives and stores the content itemsconfiguring the obtained NRT service of the EPG consumption model inoperation S9009. The reception of an NRT service of an EPG consumptionmodel may be made in the background without a user's recognition.Accordingly, the NRT service of an EPG consumption model may becontinuously received regardless of a user's selection. However, thereception method may be changed according to a user's setting. Forexample, the receiver 300 may not receive the NRT service of an EPGconsumption model according to a user's setting, receives it in theforeground, or receives it according to a user's set period.Accordingly, the receiver 300 receives an EPG service extended accordingto a user's preference, and provides it.

Additionally, the receiver 300 receives and manages an NRT service of anEPG consumption model in a storage unit through the service manager 350.However, as mentioned above, in order to receive and manage an NRTservice of an EPG consumption model in a storage unit, a constantpredetermined size of storage space may be required. Additionally, theallocated amount of such a storage space may be transmitted through thetransmitter 200 according to a service provider's intention. Therefore,according to an embodiment of the present invention, the receiver 300allocates a predetermined area of a storage unit of the receiver 300 asa storage area of an NRT service of an EPG consumption model, receivesEPG service in an allocated area, and then stores and manages it.Accordingly, the transmitter 200 includes information on the storagearea in an NRT service descriptor and then, transmits it to the receiver300. In this case, the receiver 300 may receive, store, and manage EPGservice in a designated area.

For example, the transmitted storage area information may be included ina storage_reservation field in an NRT service descriptor, and thereceiver 300 allocates a predetermined area on the basis of the storagearea information and the EPG consumption model field, and manages it asan area to receive an NRT service of an EPG consumption model.

Moreover, a content item of an NRT service designated as an EPGconsumption model may be transmitted through IP in addition to abroadcast service channel. The transmission through IP may be performedthrough the NRT service transmitting method through an internet network.For example, the receiver 300 obtains URL information to receive acontent item of an NRT service designated as an EPG consumption model onthe basis of NRT-IT, and receives files configuring a content itemthrough an internet network on the basis of the obtained URLinformation. Accordingly, the receiver 300 receives content item filesin an NRT service of an EPG consumption model, which are transmittedthrough an internet network, through IP, and stores it.

Then, the receiver 300 provides a service guide on the basis of theparsed VCT and EIT in operation S9011. The service guide may includeguide information on a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or NRTservice. The receiver 300 generates an EPG on a broadcast program orservice from the VCT and EIT through the service manager 350, and thendisplays it, so that it provides a service guide to a user. In order toprovide a guide on NRT service as well as a broadcast program, thetransmitter 200 may include brief information on NRT service in a VCT oran EIT and then, transmit it. Accordingly, the receiver 300 may generatea guide on a broadcast program and NRT service on the basis of a VCT andan EIT and then, displays it. For example, the transmitter 200 includesa descriptor including information on NRT service in a VCT and an EITand transmits it, and the receiver 300 parses it to generate a guide anddisplay it.

Once the guide is provided, a user may select a desired content, forexample, a specific virtual channel, a specific program (event) or aspecific NRT service, from the displayed EPG. Accordingly, the receiver300 selects a corresponding content (a virtual channel, event, or NRTservice object) according to a user's selection in operation S0913. Auser may display a list of desired information contents in highlight,position an interface point on a content list, or select a content byusing a gesture.

Then, the receiver 300 first displays information on a content selectedbased on the parsed VCT and EIT. Then, the receiver 300 determineswhether there is an additional information request on the selectedcontent in operation S9015. If there is no additional informationrequest, operation S9011 is continuously performed.

Here, a receiver may display an indicator indicating the request aroundan additional information available content list by using the servicemanager 350. Additionally, the receiver 300 may lead a user to requestadditional information on a content having an indicator displayedthereon. The indicator may be displayed when an NRT service of the EPGconsumption model is received completely. The additional information,for example, may include preview information (image information or imageinformation) included in a content item of an NRT service of an EPGconsumption model or related home page information.

Moreover, when there is an additional information request on theselected content, the receiver 300 identifies a content item of an NRTservice of an EPG consumption model corresponding to the selectedcontent in operation S9017.

The receiver 300 identifies content items corresponding to the selectedcontent from the received and stored NRT service of the EPG consumptionmodel by using the service manager 350. For example, when the selectedcontent is a specific virtual channel, the receiver 300 obtains contentitem identification information of an NRT service designated as an EPGconsumption model from the linkage information corresponding to aspecific virtual channel included in a VCT and then, based on this,identifies a content item corresponding to a specific virtual channelfrom the content items of the received EPG consumption model NRTservice.

Moreover, when the selected content is a specific program (event), thereceiver 300 obtains content item identification information of an NRTservice designated as an EPG consumption model from the linkageinformation corresponding to a specific event or program included in anEIT and then, based on this, identifies a content item corresponding toa specific program (event) from the content items of the received EPGconsumption model NRT service.

Then, when the selected content is a specific NRT object, the receiver300 obtains content item identification information of an NRT servicedesignated as an EPG consumption model from the linkage informationcorresponding to a specific event or program included in an SMT or anNRT-IT and then, based on this, identifies a content item correspondingto a specific service object from the content items of the received EPGconsumption model NRT service.

Then, the receiver 300 provides additional information on the selectedcontent on the basis of the identified content item in operation S9019.

The receiver 300 may provide additional information on the selectedcontent by launching or presenting the identified content item. Theadditional information, as mentioned above, may include various and richmultimedia information to provide extended EPG. Accordingly, a user mayrequest additional information while watching a service guide, and mayobtain various and rich EPG information on the selected content at therequest.

FIG. 76 is a view illustrating a linkage between EPG and each tableaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 76, the EPG 400 may include an NRT service guide 401and a broadcast program guide 402. The receiver 300 may analyze VCT andEIT to generate the NRT service guide 401 or the broadcast program guide402 and display it.

Moreover, the receiver 300 may obtain information on a content item ofan NRT service of an EPG consumption model corresponding to each NRTservice, virtual channel, or event on the basis of an SMT, a VCT, or anEIT, and may provide additional information by using a content item ofan EPG service corresponding to the NRT service, virtual channel, orevent that a user selects.

For example, as shown in FIG. 76, when there is an additionalinformation request on an NRT service 3-19, the receiver 300 may obtainEPG content item identification information on the service identifierSvc 3-19 corresponding thereto through linkage information in the SMT.Then, the receiver 300 may identify a corresponding content item item5from the NRT-IT corresponding to an NRT service of an EPG consumptionmodel to launch or present it so that additional information on EPGusing NRT service may be provided.

Furthermore, when there is an additional information request on avirtual channel 3-2, the receiver 300 may obtain EPG content itemidentification information on the virtual channel CH 302 correspondingthereto through linkage information in the VCT. Then, the receiver 300may identify a corresponding content item item3 from the NRT-ITcorresponding to an NRT service of an EPG consumption model to launch orpresent it so that additional information on EPG using NRT service maybe provided.

In the same manner, when there is an additional information request onan event E321, the receiver 300 may obtain EPG content itemidentification information on a virtual channel CH 302 correspondingthereto through linkage information in EIT. Then, the receiver 300 mayidentify a corresponding content item iteml from the NRT-ITcorresponding to an NRT service of an EPG consumption model to launch orpresent it so that additional information on EPG using NRT service maybe provided.

FIG. 77 is a view illustrating an EPG provided according to anembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 77, the EPG 400 may include a highlighter 403 forindicating a content that a user selects and an indicator 404 forindicating available additional information in addition to the NRTservice guide 401 and the broadcast program guide 402.

A user may select a specific content, for example, a specific NRTservice, a specific virtual channel, or a specific broadcast program(event) through the highlighter 403.

Then, the receiver 300 may determine whether an NRT service of an EPGconsumption model is received in correspondence to each NRT service,virtual channel, or event, and may display the indicator 404 indicatingthat additional information is available. Here, the indicator 404 may bedisplayed around a corresponding content list. Additionally, thereceiver 300 may display the indicator 404 on a content that a userselects according to a setting, and also may display the indicator 404on a content that a user does not select. In FIG. 77, although theindicator 404 is displayed in a circular form, it is not limitedthereto, and thus may be displayed in at least one form of characters,symbols, or figures, which indicate that additional information oncontent is available.

FIGS. 78 and 79 are views illustrating an EPG screen when a userrequests additional information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 78, according to an embodiment, when a user selects theindicator 404 to request additional information on a specific content,an extended EPG is displayed by the launched or presented content itemof an EPG consumption model NRT service. For example, as shown in FIG.78, the receiver 300 may further display an extended guide 405corresponding to a content that a user selects. The extended guide 405may include a menu for selecting at least one of preview information,related home page information, detailed information on a correspondingcontent, and poster information.

Then, when a user selects a specific menu, for example, previewinformation, as shown in FIG. 79, a preview information screen 406 on acorresponding content may be additionally displayed on the EPG. Thepreview information screen 406 may indicate preview information includedin a content item of an EPG consumption model NRT service as shown inFIG. 79. The preview information, as shown in FIG. 79, may includedetailed content, video, or VOD information on the corresponding contentE321, and may be played according to a user's selection.

FIG. 80 is a view illustrating linkage information linked with othertables according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 80, linkage information may be included in a linkagedescriptor, and also may be included in a descriptor loop correspondingto a content item of a specific channel, specific event, specific NRTservice, or a content item of a specific NRT service of each table of aVCT, an EIT, an SMT, or an NRT-IT, and then transmitted by thetransmitter 200. The receiver 300 parses each descriptor loop to obtaina linkage descriptor and obtains identification information of a contentitem of an EPG NRT service linked with each content on the basis of thelinkage descriptor. Also, the receiver 300 may provide additionalextended EPG information by launching or playing a specific content itemamong content items corresponding to an NRT service designated as an EPGconsumption model in NRT-IT on the basis of the obtained identificationinformation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 80, Service 0 may include an NRT serviceof an EPG consumption model. In this case, each of content items 0 to 3in Service 0 may include extended EPG information. Then, the receiver300 determines which content item EPG information linked with eachchannel, event, or service is included in on the basis of a linkagedescriptor. The receiver 300 determines that extended EPG information ona virtual channel of VCH1 is included in content 0 on the basis of thelinkage descriptor, and launches or plays the content 0 to provide theextended EPG. Additionally, the receiver 300 determines that extendedEPG information on a virtual channel of VCH1 is included in content 1 onthe basis of the linkage descriptor, and launches the content 1 toprovide the extended EPG. In the same manner, the receiver 300 launchesor plays Content 2 of Service0 to provide extended EPG information oncontent0 of Service1, i.e., a content item of NRT service, and alsolaunches or plays content3 to provide extended EPG information onService2, i.e., NRT service.

Such linkage descriptor may include information for signaling a linkagebetween a target content (for example, a channel, event or NRT serviceobject) and an NRT service object of an EPG consumption model.Accordingly, the linkage descriptor may indicate a specific content itemof an EPG consumption model NRT service indicating a target content.Such a linkage descriptor may be included in the VCT, EIT, SMT or NRT-ITand then transmitted as mentioned above, and for example, may beincluded a service descriptor loop of SMT or a content descriptor loopof NRT-IT and then transmitted. Accordingly, the receiver 300 mayprovide extended EPG information linked with an EPG consumption modelNRT service on the basis of a linkage descriptor transmitted via variouspaths. Accordingly, a user may receive more detailed and additionalinformation on a desired content.

FIG. 81 is a view illustrating a syntax of a linkage descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 81, the linkage descriptor may include adescriptor_tag field, a descriptor_length field, a target_type field, amajor_channel_number field, a minor_channel_number field, a channel_TSIDfield, and a source_id field, and may further include an event_id fieldor a service_id field or may further include a service_id field and acontent_linkage field.

The descriptor_tag field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to distinguishthis descriptor as a linkage descriptor.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end of alinkage descriptor.

The target_type field may indicate the type of a target content. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 82, a target type field may be displayed tocorrespond the type of a target content linked with a linkage descriptorto a field value. The target content may be a TV service (virtualchannel), TV event, NRT service or a content item of an NRT service, anda value corresponding thereto may be one of 0x00 to 0x07. Accordingly,the receiver 300 may determine which type of service the target contentrelates to on the basis of the target type field.

The major_channel_number field may indicate a major channel numberlinked with a virtual channel, i.e., a target of a linkage descriptor.Each virtual channel may relate to a major channel number and a minorchannel number. The major channel number and the minor channel numbermay serve as a reference number of a user's virtual channel.

The minor_channel_number field (10 bits) may include a minor orsub-channel number in a range of ‘0’ to ‘999’ linked with a virtualchannel, i.e., a target of a linkage descriptor.

The channel_TSID field (16 bits) may be an unsigned integer indicatingan MPEG-2 transfer stream ID linked with a transfer stream carrying anMPEG-2 program referenced by a virtual channel in a range of ‘0x0000’ to‘0xFFFF’ to identify a virtual channel, i.e., a target of a linkagedescriptor.

The source_id field (16 bits) indicates a source of a program linkedwith a virtual channel, i.e., a target of a linkage descriptor.

Here, the receiver 300 may use a combination of the major channel numberfield and the minor channel number field in order to identify a virtualchannel, i.e., a target of a linkage descriptor. Moreover, the receiver300 may identify a virtual channel by using a combination of thechannel_TSID field and the source_id field. The linkage descriptor mayinclude various fields to identify a virtual channel, and thetransmitter 200 identifies a virtual channel through a method of usingthe minimum field among a combination of the fields, so that the size ofa descriptor may be reduced and a bandwidth may be efficiently used.

FIG. 82 is a view illustrating a target type field of a linkagedescriptor according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 82, when the target type field indicates a TV event (0x02), thelinkage descriptor may include an event_id field according to the targettype field. When the target type field indicates an NRT service (0x03),the linkage descriptor may include a service_id field. When the targettype field indicates a content item of NRT service (0x04), the linkagedescriptor may include a service_id field and a content_linkage field.Accordingly, the receiver 300 first parses the target type field, anddetermines the type of a target content on the basis of the value of thetarget type field, and also obtains each identifier field according tothe determined content type so that it may identify the target content.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention,the receiver 300 may include descriptive information of contents (forexample, a virtual channel, an event, or NRT service) to display serviceguide. For this, the receiver 300 may obtain a linkage descriptor fromtables transmitted through a broadcast channel or NRT service signalingchannel.

The linkage descriptor may be included in a channel level descriptorloop corresponding to a specific virtual channel in the VCT.Additionally, the linkage descriptor may be included in an event leveldescriptor loop corresponding to a specific event in an EIT instance.Then, the linkage descriptor may be included in a service leveldescriptor loop in the SMT corresponding to a specific NRT service.

The receiver 300 may determine what descriptive information of a virtualchannel, event, or NRT service is included based on the position in theVCT, EIT, or SMT including such a linkage descriptor.

Moreover, the receiver 300 may identify at least one content item of anEPG consumption model NRT service linked with the above-mentionedvirtual channel, event, or NRT service on the basis of the linkageinformation in the linkage descriptor. The receiver 300 may provideadditional information on the above-mentioned specific virtual channel,event, or NRT service by launching or playing at least one content item,and the additional information may be displayed on a service guide thata user views.

FIG. 83 is a view illustrating a linkage descriptor according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. The linkage descriptor may includea descriptor_tag field, a descriptor_length field, and anum_of_linked_content_items field, and also may include at least onelinked content item loop divided by a for loop. Each content item loopmay include a service_id_ref field to identify a content item, acontent_linkage_ref field, and a role field.

The descriptor_tag field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to distinguishthis descriptor as a linkage descriptor.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end of alinkage descriptor.

The num_of_linked_content_items field may be an 8-bit unsigned integerindicating the number of content items identified in loops starting froma field immediately following this field.

The Service_id_ref field may be a 16-bit unsigned integer matching theservice identifier field of NRT service. The NRT service matched by thisfield is to provide descriptive information for a program or serviceguide, and may be an NRT service designated as an EPG consumption model.The NRT service designated as an EPG consumption model may be includedin a broadcast stream including the linkage descriptor and thentransmitted, or may be transmitted through another broadcast stream inthe same broadcast area.

The content_linkage_ref field may be a 32-bit unsigned integer matchingthe content_linkage field corresponding to a content item of an NRTservice designated as an EPG consumption model that the serviceidentifier reference field in an NRT-IT instance indicates. Accordingly,by parsing this field, the receiver 300 may identify a content item ofan EPG consumption model NRT service as a content item linked by thelinkage descriptor.

The role field may be a 4-bit unsigned integer indicating the role ofthe identified content item. The meaning according to a value allocatedto the role field, for example, is shown in the following Table 5.

TABLE 5 value Meaning 0 Preview 1 General description 2-15 Reserved

As shown in Table 5, when a value of the role field is 0, it indicatesthat the identified content item serves as a preview role. When a valueof the role field is 1, it indicates that the identified content itemserves a general description role.

As mentioned above, the receiver 300 receives EPG information, which isincluded in the VCT or EIT and transmitted through a broadcast channel,from the transmitter 200 and then, displays EPG, and also, according toa user's additional information request on guide, launches or plays anEPG NRT content item on a specific content to provide extended EPGinformation.

Moreover, according to an embodiment, the transmitter 200 may furtherinclude information for providing NRT service guide in the VCT or EITand then, transmit it. Such information may be included in a specificdescriptor, and may express a descriptor for providing NRT service guideas an enhanced EPG descriptor. The receiver 300 parses the EPGdescriptor from a descriptor loop of VCT or EIT and displays EPG on NRTservice.

Such an enhanced EPG descriptor may include various information toprovide NRT service guide. For example, the enhanced EPG descriptor mayinclude information on whether there is an adjunct NRT service added toa specific virtual channel or event A/V stream and transmitted andwhether an existing adjunct NRT service is access-controlled. Moreover,the enhanced EPG descriptor may include information on whether a list ofNRT service included in an NRT virtual channel and each NRT service areaccess-controlled.

Moreover, the enhanced EPG descriptor, as mentioned above, may beincluded in a channel level descriptor loop of a VCT (a TVCT or a CVCT),and may be included in an event level descriptor loop of the EIT.Accordingly, the receiver 300 may display EPG on data service or NRTservice by using a PSIP table transmitted through a broadcast channel oran internet network, without extracting complex data or other tablesthrough each virtual channel or signaling channel.

The enhanced EPG descriptor may include capability information on NRTservice. The capability information may include information on thecapability of the receiver 300 with which an NRT service included in acorresponding virtual channel or event is successfully played.Therefore, the receiver 300 may not display the existence of acorresponding NRT service in the EPG of the NRT service if a requiredcapability is not provided on the basis of the capability information.Then, the capability information may be included in an NRT Capabilitiesdescriptor, and also is included in a VCT or an EIT in addition to theenhanced EPG descriptor, and then transmitted.

FIG. 84 is a view illustrating a syntax of an enhanced EPG descriptoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 84, the enhanced EPG descriptor may include adescriptor tag field, a descriptor length field, a num_of_NRT_servicesfield, and at least one NRT service loop divided by a for loop. The atleast one NRT service loop may include a service_id_ref field, aconsumption model field, an access_controlled field, ashort_service_name_length field, and a short_service_name field.

The descriptor_tag may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to distinguish thisdescriptor as an enhanced EPG descriptor.

The descriptor_length field may be an 8-bit unsigned integer to definethe length from a field immediately following this field to the end of alink descriptor.

The num_of_NRT_services field may be a 4-bit integer indicating thenumber of NRT services included in a specific virtual channel in the VCTincluding this field, or may be a 4-bit integer indicating the number ofNRT services linked with a specific event in EIT including this field.

The service_id_ref field may be a 16-bit integer identifying an NRTservice included in a specific virtual channel in the VCT including thisfield, or may be a 16-bit integer identifying an NRT service linked witha specific event in EIT including this field.

The consumption_model field may be a 6-bit unsigned integer indicating aconsumption_model of an NRT service identified by the service identifierreference field.

The access controlled field may be a 1-bit flag indicating whether anNRT service identified by the service identifier reference field isaccess-controlled. If a value of this field is 1, it indicates that theNRT service is access-controlled and if a value of this field is 0, itindicates that the NRT service is not access-controlled.

The short_service_name_length field may be a 3-bit unsigned integerhaving the same meaning as that of the short_service_name_length fieldin the SMT. For example, this field may indicate the length of a shortservice name described in the short_service_name field in a byte unit.Additionally, when service_type of a virtual channel including thisfield is not 0x08, a value of this field may be designated as 0. WhenNRT service is adjunct NRT service (for example, when service type isnot 0x08), the receiver 300 may not display the name of an adjunct NRTservice added to a broadcast program and transmitted according to thisfield, on an EPG for broadcast program.

The short_service_name field may be a variable having the same meaningas that of the short_service_name field included in the SMT, and forexample, may indicate the short name of an NRT service identified by theservice identifier reference field.

FIG. 85 is a view illustrating a syntax of an enhanced EPG descriptoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 85, the enhanced EPG descriptor may be referred to asservice_enhancements_descriptor. A service enhancements descriptor mayinclude capability information of the receiver 300 to use each NRTservice. Accordingly, the service enhancements descriptor furtherincludes capability code information necessary for using each NRTservice, and unlike FIG. 85, may further include at least one ofcapability string and capability set to indicate capability informationthat is required by the receiver 300 to launch or play NRT service.

The service enhancements descriptor may include a descriptor tag field,a descriptor length field, a num_of_enhancements field, and a for loopdivided enhancements loop. Each enhancements loop includes a serviceidentifier reference field, a consumption model field, a content itemcount field, a for loop divided content item loop, a capability codecount field, and a for loop divided capability code loop. The contentitem loop includes a content item identifier field, and the capabilitycode loop may include an essential_indicator field, a capability_codefield, and a format_identifier field.

The Service_id_ref field may be a 16-bit unsigned integer indicating theservice identifier of NRT service. An NRT service identified by theservice identifier reference field may be a service that is included ina broadcast stream corresponding to this descriptor as an adjunct NRTservice and transmitted. When a value of the content item count fieldimmediately following this field is 0, a service enhancements descriptorincluding this field may include information on a service identified bythis field. Then, when a value of the content item count fieldimmediately following this field is not 0, a service enhancementsdescriptor including this field may include information on individualcontent items included in at least one content item loop following thecontent item count number.

The consumption model field may be a 6-bit unsigned integer indicating aconsumption model of an NRT service identified by the service_id_reffield.

The num_of_linked_content_items field may be an 8-bit unsigned integerindicating the number of content items identified by a content item loopimmediately following this field.

The content_linkage field may be a 32-bit unsigned integer matching thecontent_linkage field in NRT-IT in order to identify a content item thata service enhancements descriptor including this field indicates, amongcontent items included in an NRT service identified by service_id_ref.

The capability_code_count field may be an 8-bit unsigned integerindicating the number of capability code following this field.

The essential_indicator field may be a 1-bit field indicating whether asupport for capability indicated by the capability code field followingthis field is necessary. Whether the support is necessary may bedetermined depending on whether the meaningful playback of an NRTservice or content item that this field indicates is possible. When avalue of this field is 1, it indicates that the support is necessary,and when a value of this field is 0, it indicates that the support isnot necessary. Accordingly, the receiver 300 may determine in advancewhether NRT service is launchable or playable according to a value of anessential_indicator field and the performance of the receiver 300, andalso determine whether to display information thereon on guide orwhether to display a non-playable NRT service.

The capability_code field may be a 7-bit unsigned integer indicating aspecific capability. A value of each capability code field may includespecific information on at least one of a download protocol required byNRT service, a Forward error correction (FEC) algorithm, a Wrapper orarchive format, a compression algorithm, and a media type.

The format_identifer field may be a 32-bit field defined byregistration_descriptor of ISO/IEC 13818-1 Section 2.6.9. A value of theformat identifier may be certified and registered according to the SMPTEstandard. The format identifier field may be used to immediatelyidentify and scope the capability code.

FIG. 86 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing EPG by usingan enhanced EPG descriptor and a linkage descriptor according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 86, like FIG. 75, the receiver 300 receives VCT or EITin operation S9021. The receiver 300 receives a PSIP table from abroadcast channel, an internet network, or an internet network by usingthe service manager 350, and parses a VCT or an EIT from the receivedPSIP table.

Then, the receiver 300 obtains an enhanced EPG descriptor from the VCTor the EIT in operation S9023. The receiver 300 may obtain an enhancedEPG descriptor from a channel descriptor loop of the VCT or an eventdescriptor loop of the EIT by using the service manager 350.

Then, the receiver 300 provides an EPG on the basis of the enhanced EPGdescriptor in operation S9025. Here, the receiver 300 generates a guideon an NRT service based on an enhanced EPG descriptor by using theservice manager 350, and displays the generated NRT service guide.Additionally, the receiver 300 generates an NRT service guide, which islinked with a broadcast channel or broadcast program in addition to aguide, in linkage with a specific channel or event including an enhanceddescriptor, and displays it.

For example, the receiver 300 obtains at least one of a serviceidentifier of an NRT service, a consumption mode, access controlinformation, a content item identifier, a service name, and capabilityinformation, which are linked with a specific channel or event, from theenhanced EPG descriptor shown in FIG. 84 or 85, and displays it on aservice guide. Accordingly, even when information on NRT service is notreceived through other complex paths, the receiver 300 generates aservice guide on an NRT service linked with a broadcast channel orbroadcast program, and displays it, so that service delivery efficiencymay be improved.

Then, once the guide is provided, a user may select a desired content,for example, a specific virtual channel, a specific program (event) or aspecific NRT service, from the displayed EPG. Accordingly, the receiver300 determines whether there is an additional information request on acorresponding content (a virtual channel, event, or NRT service object)according to a user's selection in operation S9027.

Then, when there is an additional information request on the selectedcontent, the receiver 300 extracts the linkage descriptor from a VCT, anEIT, an SMT, or an NRT-IT corresponding to the selected content inoperation S9029 The receiver 300 may identify a content item of an NRTservice of an EPG consumption model indicated by a linkage descriptor.For example, when the selected content is a specific virtual channel,the receiver 300 obtains content item identification information of anNRT service designated as an EPG consumption model from the linkageinformation corresponding to a specific virtual channel included in theVCT and then, based on this, identifies a content item corresponding toa specific virtual channel from the content items of the received EPGconsumption model NRT service.

Then, the receiver 300 provides an enhanced service guide on the basisof the identified content item of the NRT service of the EPG serviceconsumption model in operation S9031. The receiver 300 determineswhether the identified content item is received using the servicemanager 350, and if it is received, launches or plays a correspondingcontent item to generate and display an extended service guide. Thereceiver 300 may receive and store a content item not received yet.

FIG. 87 is a view illustrating an EPG provided through a method ofreceiving broadcast service according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 87, the EPG provided through a method of receivingbroadcast service may include a program guide 410. The program guide 410may include an NRT service indicator 411 and an NRT service informationguide 412 corresponding to each NRT service indicator 411.

The program guide 410 may include information on an event for eachvirtual channel of a broadcast program, as mentioned above. The servicemanager 350 of the receiver 300 may generate the program guide 410 onthe basis of a VCT and an EIT and display it.

Moreover, the NRT service indicator 411 may indicate that there is anNRT service corresponding to a specific virtual channel or event. Theservice manager 350 of the receiver 300 parses the enhanced EPGdescriptor from the VCT or the EIT and determines that an NRT serviceidentified by the enhanced EPG descriptor is linked with a specificvirtual channel or specific event (a broadcast program). Accordingly,the receiver 300 displays the NRT service indicator 411 around aspecific virtual channel or event to indicate that there is an NRTservice linked with a specific virtual channel or specific event.

Moreover, the receiver 300 may display detailed information on NRTservices corresponding to each NRT service indicator 411 on the NRTservice information guide 412. The receiver 300 analyzes the enhancedEPG descriptor by using the service manager 350, obtains at least one ofa service identifier, consumption model, access control information orcapability information of an NRT service linked with each virtualchannel or event, and based on this, displays it on the NRT serviceinformation guide 412. Additionally, the receiver 300 determines whetherNRT service can be launched by the receiver 300 itself on the basis ofcapability information, and when the NRT service cannot be launched, acorresponding NRT service is omitted, or not displayed, or shaded toindicate that it is difficult to launch the NRT service.

Then, when a user requests additional information on a specific NRTservice, a specific virtual channel, or a specific event, which aredisplayed on the guide 410 or 420, the receiver 300 may launch the NRTservice of the EPG consumption model, so that additional information maybe provided.

Therefore, the receiver 300 may generate a guide providing guideinformation on an NRT service linked with each channel or event on thebasis of a VCT and an EIT and then, displays it. Additionally, thereceiver 300 may provide guide information on NRT service withoutparsing or analyzing the SMT or the NRT-IT. Then, if there is a user'sadditional request, additional information may be provided using an NRTservice of an EPG consumption model on a corresponding content, so thatthe receiver 300 may provide instant and rich service guide according toa user's demand.

A method of transmitting and receiving broadcast service according tothe present invention may be stored in the computer readable recordingmedium that includes read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM),CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, andcarrier waves (such as data transmission through the Internet).

The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed overnetwork coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code isstored and executed in a distributed fashion. (Also, functionalprograms, codes, and code segments for accomplishing the presentinvention can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art towhich the present invention pertains).

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for a broadcast receiving device toreceive a broadcast, comprising: receiving, by a receiving unit,signaling data signaling a channel information for services, wherein thesignaling data includes service information for at least one servicethat is delivered in advance of use and stored in the broadcastreceiving device; extracting, by a service manager, the serviceinformation from the signaling data; and providing, by the servicemanager, a service guide for displaying information about the at leastone service according to the signaling data, without needing othersignaling data transmitted separately with the signaling data.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the service information includes informationindicating channel number of the at least one service and informationidentifying the at least one service.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the service information includes information identifying acontent of the at least one service.
 24. The method of claim 21, whereinthe service information includes first information on whether an accessof the at least one service is controlled, second information on anumber of the at least one service and third information on a method ofconsuming the at least one service.
 25. A method for transmitting abroadcast, comprising: generating, by a transmitter, signaling datasignaling a virtual channel information for services, wherein thesignaling data is used for providing a service guide for displayinginformation about the at least one service, wherein the signaling dataincludes service information for at least one service that is deliveredin advance of use and stored in a broadcast receiving device; andtransmitting, by a transmitter, the signaling data, wherein the serviceguide is provided according to the signaling data, without needing othersignaling data transmitted separately with the signaling data.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the service information includes informationindicating channel number of the at least one service and informationidentifying the at least one service.
 27. The method of claim 25,wherein the service information includes information identifying acontent of the at least one service.
 28. The method of claim 25, whereinthe service information includes first information on whether an accessof the at least one service is controlled, second information on anumber of the at least one service and third information on a method ofconsuming the at least one service.